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Webster 1913 Edition


Pyrophorus

‖

Py-roph′o-rus

,
Noun.
[NL. See
Pyrophorous
.]
(Old Chem.)
Any one of several substances or mixtures which phosphoresce or ignite spontaneously on exposure to air, as a heated mixture of alum, potash, and charcoal, or a mixture of charcoal and finely divided lead.

Webster 1828 Edition


Pyrophorus

PYROPHORUS

,
Noun.
[Gr., fire; bearing.] A substance which takes fire on exposure to air, or which maintains or retains light.