superphosphate

[ soo-per-fos-feyt ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. Also called acid phosphate. a mixture of calcium acid phosphate and calcium sulfate prepared by treating phosphate rock with sulfuric acid: used chiefly as a fertilizer.
2. Also called triple superphosphate. a mixture prepared with phosphoric acid and containing about 45 percent of soluble phosphates, used as a fertilizer.

superphosphate

/ ˌsuːpəˈfɒsfeɪt /

noun

1. a mixture of the diacid calcium salt of orthophosphoric acid Ca(H 2 PO 4 ) 2 with calcium sulphate and small quantities of other phosphates: used as a fertilizer
2. a salt of phosphoric acid formed by incompletely replacing its acidic hydrogen atoms; acid phosphate; hydrogen phosphate

Word History and Origins

Origin of superphosphate¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; super- + phosphate

Example Sentences

On soils containing an abundance of lime no better or cheaper phosphatic manure can be used than ordinary superphosphate, of which as much as 10 cwt. per acre may be applied without the slightest fear of harm.

From Project Gutenberg

On medium soils, which, without being distinctly calcareous, nevertheless contain a just appreciable quantity of carbonate of lime, it is probably a good plan to use the latter class of manures, alternately with superphosphate, year and year about; but it is wise policy to use phosphates in some form or other every year in every hop garden.

From Project Gutenberg

In a natural state it is obtained from bones, guano and wood ashes; and in an artificial condition from basic slag or Thomas’s phosphate, coprolites and superphosphate of lime.

From Project Gutenberg

Superphosphate, sū-pėr-fos′fāt, n. a phosphate containing the greatest amount of phosphoric acid that can combine with the base.

From Project Gutenberg

Superphosphate, prepared from bones, or from the animal remains of geological ages, is another of the precious dusts which the drill economizes.

From Project Gutenberg