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

But unlike nitrogen, another critical soil nutrient, phosphorus is a non-renewable resource with limited geological deposits, meaning that once it moves from land to water, it can't get back into the land.

From Science Daily

The rock evidence showed that the violent disturbances churned up nutrients like phosphorus and iron that fed simple organisms.

From BBC

As a civil engineering student, Martinez had been interested in how phosphorus and nitrogen affect water quality, leading to algal blooms and low oxygen levels when discharged in high quantities into freshwater.

From Los Angeles Times

Dr Smith said this might have been caused by high concentrations of phosphorus in the ocean where this larva briefly lived and died.

From BBC

The IDF disputes this, saying the use of white phosphorus shells to create a smokescreen “is lawful under international law”.

From BBC