Phosphorus definition
A highly reactive, poisonous, nonmetallic element occurring naturally in phosphates, especially apatite, and existing in three allotropic forms, white (or sometimes yellow), red, and black (or violet). An essential element for biological cells, it is used in safety matches, pyrotechnics, incendiary shells, and fertilizers and to protect metal surfaces from corrosion. Atomic number 15; atomic weight 30.9738; melting point (white) 44.15°C; boiling point 280.5°C; specific gravity (white) 1.82, (red) 2.16, (black) 2.25 to 2.69; valence 3, 4, 5.
noun
A highly reactive, poisonous, nonmetallic element occurring naturally in phosphates, especially apatite, and existing in three allotropic forms, white (or sometimes yellow), red, and black (or violet). An essential element for biological cells, it is used in safety matches, pyrotechnics, incendiary shells, and fertilizers and to protect metal surfaces from corrosion. Atomic number 15; atomic weight 30.9738; melting point (white) 44.15°C; boiling point 280.5°C; specific gravity (white) 1.82, (red) 2.16, (black) 2.25 to 2.69; valence 3, 4, 5.
noun
A phosphorescent substance.
noun
(archaic) Any phosphorescent substance or object.
noun
A nonmetallic chemical element, normally a white, phosphorescent, waxy solid, becoming yellow when exposed to light: it is poisonous and unites easily with oxygen, so that it ignites spontaneously at room temperature: when heated in sealed tubes it is converted into a red form, which is nonpoisonous and less flammable than the white: when heated under a pressure of 10,000 atmospheres it is converted into a black powder: symbol, P; at. no. 15: a radioactive isotope (phosphorus-32) is used in the diagnosis and treatment of certain diseases, as a tracer in chemical and biochemical research, etc.
noun
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Phosphorus is a poisonous nonmetallic chemical element.
An example of phosphorus is the element with the atomic number 15.
noun
A phosphorescent substance.
noun
A highly reactive, poisonous nonmetallic element occurring naturally in phosphates, especially in the mineral apatite. It exists in white (or sometimes yellow), red, and black forms, and is an essential component of protoplasm. Phosphorus is used to make matches, fireworks, and fertilizers and to protect metal surfaces from corrosion. Atomic number 15; atomic weight 30.9738; melting point (white) 44.1°C; boiling point 280°C; specific gravity (white) 1.82; valence 3, 5.
(chemistry) A chemical element (symbol P) with an atomic number of 15, that exists in several allotropic forms.
noun
pronoun
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An ancient Greek name for the morning star (the planet Venus when it is visible in the eastern sky before sunrise).
pronoun
Origin of phosphorus
- Modern Latin phōsphorus substance or organism that emits light, phosphorus Latin Phōsphorus morning star from Greek phōsphoros bringing light, morning star phōs light bhā-1 in Indo-European roots -phoros -phorous
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- Modern Latin phōsphorus substance or organism that emits light, phosphorus Latin Phōsphorus morning star from Greek phōsphoros bringing light, morning star phōs light bhā-1 in Indo-European roots -phoros -phorous
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Wiktionary
- From Latinised Greek Phosphorus, from Ancient Greek Φωσφόρος (Fōsforos, “the bearer of light"), from φῶς (fōs, “light") + φέρω (pherō, “I bear, carry").
From Wiktionary