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

Superphosphate makes dark-colored, thick-leaved, stocky (p. 419) plants.

From Project Gutenberg

Good results will also follow an application of bone meal or superphosphate at the rate of from 300 to 500 pounds per acre.

From Project Gutenberg

Copperas or blue stone, kainite and superphosphate are sometimes used for the same purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

Superphosphate, in light applications, has increased sod and cover crop growth.

From Project Gutenberg

When superphosphate is applied to the soil it is converted into an insoluble state.

From Project Gutenberg