Adjacent Words

phosphine definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a colorless gas with a strong fishy smell; used as a pesticide

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary Date: 1869 1. any of various derivatives of phosphine analogous to amines but weaker as bases 2. a colorless poisonous flammable gas PH₃ that is a weaker base than ammonia and that is used especially to fumigate stored grain

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. Chem. a colourless ill-smelling gas, phosphorus trihydride. Usage: Chem. formula: PH3 Derivatives: phosphinic adj. Etymology: PHOSPHO- + -INE(4), after amine

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Phosphine Phos"phine, n. (Chem.) A colorless gas, PH3, analogous to ammonia, and having a disagreeable odor resembling that of garlic. Called also hydrogen phosphide, and formerly, phosphureted hydrogen. Note: It is the most important compound of phosphorus and hydrogen, and is produced by the action of caustic potash on phosphorus. It is spontaneously inflammable, owing to impurities, and in burning produces peculiar vortical rings of smoke.