phosphorous

[ fos-fer-uhs, fos-fawr-uhs, -fohr- ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. containing trivalent phosphorus.

phosphorous

/ ˈfɒsfərəs /

adjective

1. of or containing phosphorus in the trivalent state

Other Words From

• non·phospho·rous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphorous¹

First recorded in 1770–80; phosphor- + -ous

Example Sentences

Different electrolytes include sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, and chloride.

From Popular-Science

Or, state regulators said, the power company could pay an annual fee — $17 per pound of nitrogen and $270 per pound of phosphorous — totaling $172 million per year.

From Washington Post

That was especially true for enzymes involved in the microbes’ use of important nutrients, such as carbon, nitrogen, or phosphorous.

From Science News For Students

The urine still leaves the Reclaimer carrying too much nitrogen and phosphorous.

From Science News For Students

So when plants get NPK for free from fertilizers, they pump out far fewer exudates, and mycorrhizal fungi dial down mineral and phosphorous deliveries to almost nothing.

From Nautilus

Chemical weapons are worse than phosphorous bombs, presumably, but mainly to bystanders.

From The Daily Beast

Urban landscapes had been devastated by napalm and white phosphorous; two major Japanese cities had been leveled by atomic bombs.

From The Daily Beast

Selenophene was prepared from sodium succinate and phosphorous triselenide, or by conducting ethylselenide through hot tubes.

From Project Gutenberg

Jerry gave the kite cord a yank, and the phosphorous-covered figure swayed weirdly high in the air.

From Project Gutenberg

We use black light almost exclusively or activated phosphorous such as on the sheaths of the nerve cables.

From Project Gutenberg

He had been brilliant to me before that, but the brilliance of phosphorous compared to sunlight now.

From Project Gutenberg

The phosphorous pentafluoride rains out when the weather gets cold.

From Project Gutenberg