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phosphor

[ fos-fer, -fawr ]
/ ˈfɒs fər, -fɔr /
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noun
any of a number of substances that exhibit luminescence when struck by light of certain wavelengths, as by ultraviolet.
Literary. a phosphorescent substance.
adjective
Archaic. phosphorescent.
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Origin of phosphor

1625–35; <French phosphore<Latin PhōsphorusPhosphor

Other definitions for phosphor (2 of 3)

Phosphor
[ fos-fer, -fawr ]
/ ˈfɒs fər, -fɔr /
noun
the morning star, especially Venus.
Also Phos·phore [fos-fawr, -fohr], /ˈfɒs fɔr, -foʊr/, Phos·pho·rus [fos-fer-uhs] /ˈfɒs fər əs/ .

Origin of Phosphor

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

Other definitions for phosphor (3 of 3)

phosphor-
variant of phosphoro- before a vowel: phosphorate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to phosphor

daystar, lucifer

How to use phosphor in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for phosphor

phosphor
/ (ˈfɒsfə) /
noun
a substance, such as the coating on a cathode-ray tube, capable of emitting light when irradiated with particles or electromagnetic radiation

Word Origin for phosphor

C17: from French, ultimately from Greek phōsphoros phosphorus
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

Scientific definitions for phosphor

phosphor
[ fŏs′fər ]
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. See Note at cathode-ray tube.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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