Adjacent Words

Phosphorus definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

PHOS'PHORUS
PHOS'PHOR, n. [L. from the Greek. See Phosphor.]
1. The morning star.
2. Phosphorus, in chimistry, a combustible substance, hitherto undecomposed. It is of a yellowish color and semi-transparent, resembling fine wax. It burns in common air with great rapidity; and in oxygen gas, with the greatest vehemence. Even at the common temperature, it combines with oxygen, undergoing a slow combustion and emitting a luminous vapor. It is originally obtained from urine; but it is now manufactured from bones, which consist of phosphate of lime.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms [syn: phosphorus, P, atomic number 15]
2: a planet (usually Venus) seen just before sunrise in the eastern sky [syn: morning star, daystar, Phosphorus, Lucifer]

Merriam Webster's

noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: New Latin, from Greek ph?sphoros light-bearing — more at phosphor Date: 1645 1. a phosphorescent substance or body; especially one that shines or glows in the dark 2. (also phosphorous) a nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs widely especially as phosphates — see element table

Britannica Concise

Nonmetallic chemical element, chemical symbol P, atomic number 15. The ordinary allotrope, "white phosphorus," is a poisonous, colorless, semitransparent, soft, waxy solid that glows in the dark (phosphorescence) and combusts spontaneously in air, producing dense white fumes of the oxide; it is used as a rodenticide and a military smokescreen. Heat or sunlight converts it to "red phosphorus," a violet-red powder that does not phosphoresce or combust. Much less reactive and soluble than white phosphorus, it is used in manufacturing other phosphorus compounds and in semiconductors, fertilizers, and safety matches. "Black phosphorus," made by heating the white form under pressure, is flaky like graphite. Phosphorus seldom occurs uncombined in nature. As the phosphate ion, it is abundant and widely distributed, in apatite, phosphorite, and many other minerals. Phosphorus has valence 3 or 5 in compounds, which have many uses in industry. Phosphine (PH3) is a chemical raw material and a doping agent (deliberately added impurity) for solid-state electronics components. Organic phosphorus compounds are used as plasticizers, gasoline additives, insecticides (e.g., parathion), and nerve gases.

Dictionary of the Elements

phosphorus
Symbol: P
Atomic number: 15
Atomic weight: 30.9738
Non-metallic element belonging to group 15 of the periodic table. Has a multiple allotropic forms. Essential element for living organisms. It was discovered by Brandt in 1669.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. Chem. a non-metallic element occurring naturally in various phosphate rocks and existing in allotropic forms, esp. as a poisonous whitish waxy substance burning slowly at ordinary temperatures and so appearing luminous in the dark, and a reddish form used in matches, fertilizers, etc. Usage: Symb.: P. Derivatives: phosphoric adj. phosphorous adj. Etymology: L, = morning star, f. Gk phosphoros f. phos light + -phoros -bringing

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Phosphorus Phos"phor*us, n.; pl. Phosphori. [L., the morning star, Gr. ?, lit., light bringer; ? light + ? 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. 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 compined, 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. 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. Bologna phosphorus (Chem.), sulphide of barium, which shines in the dark after exposure to light; -- so called because this property was discovered by a resident of Bologna. The term is sometimes applied to other compounds having similar properties. Metallic phosphorus (Chem.), an allotropic modification of phosphorus, obtained as a gray metallic crystalline substance, having very inert chemical properties. It is obtained by heating ordinary phosphorus in a closed vessel at a high temperature. Phosphorus disease (Med.), a disease common among workers in phosphorus, giving rise to necrosis of the jawbone, and other symptoms. Red, or Amorphous, phosphorus (Chem.), an allotropic modification of phosphorus, obtained as a dark red powder by heating ordinary phosphorus in closed vessels. It is not poisonous, is not phosphorescent, and is only moderately active chemically. It is valuable as a chemical reagent, and is used in the composition of the friction surface on which safety matches are ignited. Solar phosphori (Chem.), phosphorescent substances which shine in the dark after exposure to the sunlight or other intense light.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Phosphorus Phos"phor*us, n.; pl. Phosphori. [L., the morning star, Gr. ?, lit., light bringer; ? light + ? 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. 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 compined, 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. 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. Bologna phosphorus (Chem.), sulphide of barium, which shines in the dark after exposure to light; -- so called because this property was discovered by a resident of Bologna. The term is sometimes applied to other compounds having similar properties. Metallic phosphorus (Chem.), an allotropic modification of phosphorus, obtained as a gray metallic crystalline substance, having very inert chemical properties. It is obtained by heating ordinary phosphorus in a closed vessel at a high temperature. Phosphorus disease (Med.), a disease common among workers in phosphorus, giving rise to necrosis of the jawbone, and other symptoms. Red, or Amorphous, phosphorus (Chem.), an allotropic modification of phosphorus, obtained as a dark red powder by heating ordinary phosphorus in closed vessels. It is not poisonous, is not phosphorescent, and is only moderately active chemically. It is valuable as a chemical reagent, and is used in the composition of the friction surface on which safety matches are ignited. Solar phosphori (Chem.), phosphorescent substances which shine in the dark after exposure to the sunlight or other intense light.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Phosphorus is a poisonous yellowish-white chemical element. It glows slightly, and burns when air touches it.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. (Poetical.) The morning star, Lucifer, Venus, Phosphor.