phosphorus

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A chemical element (symbol P) with an atomic number of 15, that exists in several allotropic forms.

   For quotations using this term, see Citations:phosphorus.

2. 2
   noun

   Any substance exhibiting phosphorescence; a phosphor.

   For quotations using this term, see Citations:phosphorus.

3. 3
   noun

   a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂- Proto-Indo-European *bʰéh₂os Proto-Hellenic *pʰáwos Ancient Greek φᾰ́ος (phắos) Ancient Greek φῶς (phôs) Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti Proto-Hellenic *pʰérō Ancient Greek φέρω (phérō) Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Hellenic *-os Ancient Greek -ος (-os) Ancient Greek -φόρος (-phóros) Ancient Greek φωσφόρος (phōsphóros)bor. Latin phōsphorusbor. English phosphorus Borrowed from Latin phōsphorus, from Ancient Greek φωσφόρος (phōsphóros, “the bearer of light”), from φῶς (phôs, “light”) + φέρω (phérō, “to bear, carry”).

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
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