Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Phosphorus
Phos′phor-us
(fŏs′fŏr-ŭs)
, Noun.
pl.
Phosphori
(fŏs′fŏr-ī)
. [L., the morning star, Gr.
φωσφόρος
, lit., light bringer; φῶσ
light + φέρειν
to bring.] 1.
The morning star; Phosphor.
2.
(Chem.)
A poisonous nonmetallic element of the nitrogen group, obtained as a white, or yellowish, translucent waxy substance, having a characteristic disagreeable smell; this waxy allotropic form is also called
yellow phosphorus
, to distinguish it from another allotropic form, red phosphorus
. It is very active chemically, must be preserved under water, and unites with oxygen even at ordinary temperatures, giving a faint glow, – whence its name. It always occurs combined, usually in phosphates, as in the mineral apatite, in bones, etc. It is used in the composition on the tips of friction matches, and for many other purposes. It is an essential component of the genetic material of all living organisms. The molecule contains four atoms. Symbol P. Atomic weight 31.0. 3.
(Chem.)
Hence, any substance which shines in the dark like phosphorus, as certain phosphorescent bodies.
Webster 1828 Edition
Phosphorus
PHOS'PHORUS
Definition 2024
Phosphorus
Phosphorus
See also: phosphorus
English
Alternative forms
Proper noun
Phosphorus
- A name sometimes used for Hesperus, the personification in Greek mythology of the planet Venus.
- An ancient Greek name for the morning star (the planet Venus when it is visible in the eastern sky before sunrise).
Synonyms
Antonyms
Derived terms
- Phosphorian
Translations
See also
phosphorus
phosphorus
See also: Phosphorus
English
| Chemical element | |
|---|---|
| P | Previous: silicon (Si) |
| Next: sulfur (S) | |
Noun
phosphorus (countable and uncountable, plural phosphoruses or phosphori)
- (chemistry) a chemical element (symbol P) with an atomic number of 15, that exists in several allotropic forms.
- (obsolete) any substance exhibiting phosphorescence; a phosphor
Usage notes
- Do not confuse phosphorus with phosphorous, which is an adjective.
Derived terms
terms derived from phosphorus (noun)
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Related terms
terms related to phosphorus (noun)
Translations
element
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See also
Latin
Etymology
From Ancient Greek φωσφόρος (phōsphóros, “light-bearing”).
Pronunciation
- (Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): /ˈfos.fo.rus/, [ˈfɔsforus]
Noun
phōsphorus n (genitive phōsphorī); second declension
Inflection
Second declension.
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | phōsphorus | phōsphorī |
| genitive | phōsphorī | phōsphorōrum |
| dative | phōsphorō | phōsphorīs |
| accusative | phōsphorum | phōsphorōs |
| ablative | phōsphorō | phōsphorīs |
| vocative | phōsphore | phōsphorī |
Descendants
- Italian: fosforo