phlogistic

[ floh-jis-tik ]

/ floʊˈdʒɪs tɪk /

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adjective

Pathology. inflammatory.

pertaining to or consisting of phlogiston.

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Origin of phlogistic

1725–35; <Greek phlogist(ós) inflammable (verbid of phlogízein to set on fire; akin to phlox, phlegm) + -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM phlogistic

post·phlo·gis·tic, adjective

Words nearby phlogistic

phlegmy, Phlm., phloem, phloem necrosis, phloem ray, phlogistic, phlogiston, phlogopite, phlorizin, phloroglucinol, phlox

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use phlogistic in a sentence

The weak point of the phlogistic theory was its practical disregard of the phenomena of weight.
Appletons' Popular Science Monthly, April 1900|Various
It will be seen from this that the phlogistic theory was a step towards chemistry and away from alchemy.
A History of Science, Volume 4(of 5)|Henry Smith Williams
The theory advocated by Lavoisier came to displace the phlogistic conception; but at first its acceptance was slow.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1|Various
It thus happened that in the earlier treatises on phlogistic chemistry organic substances were grouped with all combustibles.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1|Various

During the phlogistic period, the detection of the constituents of compounds was considerably developed.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1|Various

British Dictionary definitions for phlogistic

phlogistic

/ (flɒˈdʒɪstɪk) /

adjective

pathol of inflammation; inflammatory

chem of, concerned with, or containing phlogiston

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012