phosphorous

American  

[fos-fer-uhs, fos-fawr-uhs, -fohr-] / ˈfɒs fər əs, fɒsˈfɔr əs, -ˈfoʊr- /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. containing trivalent phosphorus.

---

phosphorous British  

/ ˈfɒsfərəs /

adjective

1. of or containing phosphorus in the trivalent state

---

Other Word Forms

• nonphosphorous adjective

Etymology

Origin of phosphorous

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

Example Sentences

Each time, her hands were examined, judged clean, plunged into sealed boxes of dirt; and found to produce solid phosphorous granules.

From Literature

The report from environment groups Size of Wales and WWF Cymru says the soy is high in phosphorous, and becomes a pollutant when animal manure spread on land runs off into rivers.

From BBC

The microbes multiply as they consume the hydrogen, the carbon dioxide, and a few additional nutrients, such as calcium and phosphorous.

From Salon

White phosphorous is a chemical substance that ignites immediately on contact with oxygen.

From BBC

Fertilisers – like chicken manure - add additional nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen to rivers.

From BBC