phosphorus

¹

[fos-fer-uhs]

noun

plural

phosphori 

1. Chemistry.,  a solid, nonmetallic element existing in at least three allotropic forms, one that is yellow, poisonous, flammable, and luminous in the dark, one that is red, less poisonous, and less flammable, and another that is black, insoluble in most solvents, and the least flammable. The element is used in forming smoke screens, its compounds are used in matches and phosphate fertilizers, and it is a necessary constituent of plant and animal life in bones, nerves, and embryos. P; 30.974; 15; (yellow) 1.82 at 20°C, (red) 2.20 at 20°C, (black) 2.25–2.69 at 20°C.

2. any phosphorescent substance.

3. phosphor.

Phosphorus

²

[fos-fer-uhs]

noun

1. Phosphor.

Phosphorus

¹

/ ˈfɒsfərəs /

noun

1. a morning star, esp Venus

phosphorus

²

/ ˈfɒsfərəs /

noun

1. an allotropic nonmetallic element occurring in phosphates and living matter. Ordinary phosphorus is a toxic flammable phosphorescent white solid; the red form is less reactive and nontoxic: used in matches, pesticides, and alloys. The radioisotope phosphorus-32 ( radiophosphorus ), with a half-life of 14.3 days, is used in radiotherapy and as a tracer. Symbol: P; atomic no: 15; atomic wt: 30.973 762; valency: 3 or 5; relative density: 1.82 (white), 2.20 (red); melting pt: 44.1°C (white); boiling pt: 280°C (white)

2. a less common name for a phosphor

phosphorus

1. A highly reactive, poisonous nonmetallic element occurring naturally in phosphates, especially in the mineral apatite. It exists in white (or sometimes yellow), red, and black forms, and is an essential component of protoplasm. Phosphorus is used to make matches, fireworks, and fertilizers and to protect metal surfaces from corrosion. Atomic number 15; atomic weight 30.9738; melting point (white) 44.1°C; boiling point 280°C; specific gravity (white) 1.82; valence 3, 5.

2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphorus¹

1620–30; < New Latin phōsphorus phosphorus; Latin: morning star; Phosphor

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphorus¹

C17: via Latin from Greek phōsphoros light-bringing, from phōs light + pherein to bring

Example Sentences

The increased supply of phosphorus benefits cyanobacteria that live on the surface of the brown algae.

Read more on Science Daily

The tower is bristling with high-tech instruments - sensors that track almost everything happening between the forest and the atmosphere: water vapor, carbon dioxide, sunlight, and essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.

Read more on BBC

High in phosphorus, it can become a problem when excess nutrients from animal manure leaches into rivers and groundwater.

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"It may be that in normal conditions phosphorus is bound up in another molecule such as phosphorus trioxide," explained Beiler.

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Brazil imports some 90% of the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium nutrients it needs, primarily from Russia, whose war in Ukraine plus Western sanctions have made supplies precarious.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal