sulphur

¹

[suhl-fer]

noun

1. Chiefly British.,  sulfur.

2. Also yellow with a greenish tinge; lemon color.

Sulphur

²

[suhl-fer]

noun

1. a city in SW Louisiana.

sulphur

/ ˈsʌlfə, sʌlˈfjʊərɪk /

noun

1. 1. an allotropic nonmetallic element, occurring free in volcanic regions and in combined state in gypsum, pyrite, and galena. The stable yellow rhombic form converts on heating to monoclinic needles. It is used in the production of sulphuric acid, in the vulcanization of rubber, and in fungicides. Symbol: S; atomic no: 16; atomic wt: 32.066; valency: 2, 4, or 6; relative density: 2.07 (rhombic), 1.957 (monoclinic); melting pt: 115.22°C (rhombic), 119.0°C (monoclinic); boiling pt: 444.674°C

   2. ( as modifier )

      sulphur springs

Other Word Forms

• sulphuric adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sulphur¹

Variant of sulfur

Word History and Origins

Origin of sulphur¹

C14 soufre, from Old French, from Latin sulfur

Example Sentences

The processing of phosphate rock into fertiliser emits toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide and ammonia.

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Somehow, he had managed to get his hands on the ingredients for gunpowder - potassium nitrate, sulphur and charcoal.

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Somehow, he managed to get his hands on the ingredients for gunpowder - potassium nitrate, sulphur and charcoal.

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Nigeria’s crude oil is low in sulphur and, as one of the most prized in the world, fetches a higher price than many of its competitors.

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Wealthy Victorians travelled from as far as London believing the local sulphur and iron-rich water had healing powers.

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