Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PY-RO-LIG'NE-OUS, or PY-RO-LIG'NOUS, a. [Gr. πυρ, fire, and L. ligneus, from lignum, wood.]

The latter term only is conformable to the principles of the nomenclature of chimistry. Generated or procured by the distillation of wood; a term applied to the acid obtained by the distillation of wood. The acid so procured is nothing but impure and dilute acetic acid, or impure vinegar. – Chimistry.