The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Pyrocatechin \Pyr`o*cat"e*chin\, n. [Pyro- + catechu.] (Chem.)
A white crystalline substance, C6H4(OH)2, of the phenol
series, found in various plants; -- so called because first
obtained by distillation of gum catechu. Called also
catechol, oxyphenol. etc.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
catechol \cat"e*chol\ (k[a^]t"[e^]*k[add]l`), n. [.]
any of a group of chemicals having a benzene ring substituted
with two hydroxyl groups in ortho position, especially
ortho-dihydroxybenzene itself (C6H6O2), also called
pyrocatechol, used in photography and as a reagent.
[PJC]