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• phosphor
  phosphor

  noun

  any of a number of substances that exhibit luminescence when struck by light of certain wavelengths, as by ultraviolet.
• Phosphor
  Phosphor

  noun

  the morning star, especially Venus.
• phosphor-
  phosphor-

  variant of phosphoro- before a vowel.

phosphor

¹ American  

[fos-fer, -fawr] / ˈfɒs fər, -fɔr /

noun

1. any of a number of substances that exhibit luminescence when struck by light of certain wavelengths, as by ultraviolet.

2. Literary. a phosphorescent substance.

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adjective

1. Archaic. phosphorescent.

Phosphor ² American  

[fos-fer, -fawr] / ˈfɒs fər, -fɔr /

Also Phosphore

noun

1. the morning star, especially Venus.

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phosphor- ³ American  

1. variant of phosphoro- before a vowel.

   phosphorate.

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phosphor British  

/ ˈfɒsfə /

noun

1. a substance, such as the coating on a cathode-ray tube, capable of emitting light when irradiated with particles or electromagnetic radiation

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phosphor Scientific  

/ fŏs′fər /

1. Any of various substances that can emit light after absorbing some form of radiation. Television screens and fluorescent lamp tubes are coated on the inside with phosphors.

2. See Note at cathode-ray tube

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Etymology

Origin of phosphor¹

1625–35; < French phosphore < Latin Phōsphorus Phosphor

Origin of Phosphor²

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin Phōsphorus, from Greek Phōsphóros “the morning star,” literally, “the light-bringing one,” equivalent to phôs “light” + -phoros “bringing”; see -phorous

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

phosphor Phosphor

This process of phosphor down-conversion, however, has limitations.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 23, 2024

In addition to saving energy, the phosphor method also requires less electric circuitry than LEDs of three different colors do.

From Scientific American ● Sep. 27, 2023

A byproduct of private and industrial food consumption and processing, sludge and compost can replace some of the nitrogen and phosphor from synthetic fertilizers.

From Salon ● Sep. 29, 2022

For example, he says, CMI developed a red phosphor for fluorescent lighting that does not require rare europium.

From Science Magazine ● Aug. 11, 2021

He tugged on his last set of clothes, grabbed the phosphor grease, found the silver earring and the luck bag of rice that he’d been given.

From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi

Furthermore, one of the mobile developers in the Partners programme, Phosphor Games, is creating an action fantasy title named Horn, clearly aimed at the dedicated gaming audience.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 2, 2012

They fared, they rested; till with lucid horn All-cheering Phosphor led the lively morn; The prince arose, an altar rear'd in haste, And watch'd the splendors of the reddening east.

From The Columbiad by Joel Barlow

However, it is conceded in the family that Phosphor is not a cat merely: he is a person, and Lucifer is a spirit.

From Concerning Cats My Own and Some Others by Helen M. Winslow

As Phosphor far outshines the starry host; As silver Cynthia Phosphor bright outshines; So much did Hersé all the nymphs excel, The bright procession's ornament; the pride Of all th' accompanying nymphs.

From The Metamorphoses of Publius Ovidus Naso in English blank verse Vols. I & II by J. J. Howard

Phosphor wore a bell for a short time once—a little Inch-Cape Rock bell—but he left it to toll all winter in a tall tree near the drawing-room window.

From Concerning Cats My Own and Some Others by Helen M. Winslow

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