phosphor
[ fos-fer, -fawr ]
/ ˈfɒs fər, -fɔr /
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
Definition 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
Definition for phosphor (3 of 3)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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
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Medical definitions for phosphor
phosphor-
pref.
Variant ofphosphoro-
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.