phosphorus

¹

[ fos-fer-uhs ]

noun

, plural phos·pho·ri [fos, -f, uh, -rahy].

1. Chemistry. a solid, nonmetallic element existing in at least three allotropic forms, one that is yellow, poisonous, flammable, and luminous in the dark, one that is red, less poisonous, and less flammable, and another that is black, insoluble in most solvents, and the least flammable. The element is used in forming smoke screens, its compounds are used in matches and phosphate fertilizers, and it is a necessary constituent of plant and animal life in bones, nerves, and embryos. : P; : 30.974; : 15; : (yellow) 1.82 at 20°C, (red) 2.20 at 20°C, (black) 2.25–2.69 at 20°C.
2. any phosphorescent substance.
3. phosphor.

Phosphorus

²

[ fos-fer-uhs ]

noun

1. Phosphor.

Phosphorus

¹

/ ˈfɒsfərəs /

noun

1. a morning star, esp Venus

phosphorus

²

/ ˈfɒsfərəs /

noun

1. an allotropic nonmetallic element occurring in phosphates and living matter. Ordinary phosphorus is a toxic flammable phosphorescent white solid; the red form is less reactive and nontoxic: used in matches, pesticides, and alloys. The radioisotope phosphorus-32 ( radiophosphorus ), with a half-life of 14.3 days, is used in radiotherapy and as a tracer. Symbol: P; atomic no: 15; atomic wt: 30.973 762; valency: 3 or 5; relative density: 1.82 (white), 2.20 (red); melting pt: 44.1°C (white); boiling pt: 280°C (white)
2. a less common name for a phosphor

phosphorus

/ fŏs′fər-əs /

1. 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.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphorus¹

1620–30; < New Latin phōsphorus phosphorus; Latin: morning star; Phosphor

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphorus¹

C17: via Latin from Greek phōsphoros light-bringing, from phōs light + pherein to bring

Example Sentences

Gardening fertilizer contains nitrogen and phosphorus in forms that plant roots can easily slurp up.

From Science News For Students

This suggested that phosphorus could be a “bottleneck” element for life in the cosmos.

From Nautilus

Sewage and agricultural fertilizer are two potent sources of nitrogen and phosphorus.

From Popular-Science

What’s more, there is no evidence of a recent, large impact that might have enhanced atmospheric phosphorus concentrations.

From Singularity Hub 

Phosphine is created from phosphorus with three hydrogen atoms.

From MIT Technology Review

The ones that launched phosphorus bombs and used chemical weapons?

From The Daily Beast

The silver rays struck upon their foreheads wet with the vapors of night, and made them like frost seen through phosphorus.

From Project Gutenberg

From the amount of phosphorus found there appears to be about one dose of phosphoric acid to a twenty-ounce bottle.

From Project Gutenberg

Leading physiologists quite generally agree that phosphorus in the form of glycerophosphates influences metabolism very little.

From Project Gutenberg

In its elementary form, phosphorus is difficult to handle, and therefore not convenient for use.

From Project Gutenberg

The existence in the system of a form of phosphorus less highly oxidized than the phosphates is unproved.

From Project Gutenberg