Definitions for Phosphorus
ˈfɒs fər əs; -fəˌraɪphos·pho·rus

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. phosphorus, P, atomic number 15noun

   a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

2. morning star, daystar, Phosphorus, Lucifernoun

   a planet (usually Venus) seen just before sunrise in the eastern sky

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. phosphorusnoun

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

2. phosphorusnoun

   any substance exhibiting phosphorescence; a phosphor

3. Phosphorusnoun

   A name sometimes used for Hesperus, the personification in Greek mythology of the planet Venus.

4. Phosphorusnoun

   An ancient Greek name for the morning star (the planet Venus when it is visible in the eastern sky before sunrise).

5. Etymology: From Latinised Greek Phosphorus, from Φωσφόρος, from φῶς + φέρω.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Phosphor, Phosphorusnoun

   Etymology: phosphorus, Lat.

   1. The morning star.

   Why sit we sad when phosphor shines so clear, Alexander Pope.

   2. A chemical substance which, exposed to the air, takes fire.

   Of lambent flame you have whole sheets in a handful of phosphor. Addison.

   Liquid and solid phosphorus show their flames more conspicuously, when exposed to the air. George Cheyne.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Phosphorus

   Phosphorus is a chemical element with the symbol P and atomic number 15. Elemental phosphorus exists in two major forms, white phosphorus and red phosphorus, but because it is highly reactive, phosphorus is never found as a free element on Earth. It has a concentration in the Earth's crust of about one gram per kilogram (compare copper at about 0.06 grams). In minerals, phosphorus generally occurs as phosphate. Elemental phosphorus was first isolated as white phosphorus in 1669. White phosphorus emits a faint glow when exposed to oxygen – hence the name, taken from Greek mythology, Φωσφόρος meaning 'light-bearer' (Latin Lucifer), referring to the "Morning Star", the planet Venus. The term phosphorescence, meaning glow after illumination, derives from this property of phosphorus, although the word has since been used for a different physical process that produces a glow. The glow of phosphorus is caused by oxidation of the white (but not red) phosphorus — a process now called chemiluminescence. Together with nitrogen, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth, phosphorus is classified as a pnictogen. Phosphorus is an element essential to sustaining life largely through phosphates, compounds containing the phosphate ion, PO43−. Phosphates are a component of DNA, RNA, ATP, and phospholipids, complex compounds fundamental to cells. Elemental phosphorus was first isolated from human urine, and bone ash was an important early phosphate source. Phosphate mines contain fossils because phosphate is present in the fossilized deposits of animal remains and excreta. Low phosphate levels are an important limit to growth in some aquatic systems. The vast majority of phosphorus compounds mined are consumed as fertilisers. Phosphate is needed to replace the phosphorus that plants remove from the soil, and its annual demand is rising nearly twice as fast as the growth of the human population. Other applications include organophosphorus compounds in detergents, pesticides, and nerve agents.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. phosphorus

   Phosphorus is a nonmetallic chemical element that is highly reactive and an essential component of living organisms. It is symbolized by the letter "P" on the periodic table and has an atomic number of 15. Phosphorus exists in several forms, but the most common are white phosphorus, a highly dangerous form that self-ignites on contact with air, and red phosphorus, which is stable in air. It is used in a multitude of applications, from fertilizers and detergents to weapons, fireworks, and safety matches. It also plays an important role in the structure of DNA and RNA in living organisms.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:4.5 / 2 votes

1. Phosphorusnoun

   the morning star; Phosphor

2. Phosphorusnoun

   a poisonous nonmetallic element of the nitrogen group, obtained as a white, or yellowish, translucent waxy substance, having a characteristic disagreeable smell. It is very active chemically, must be preserved under water, and unites with oxygen even at ordinary temperatures, giving a faint glow, -- whence its name. It always occurs compined, usually in phosphates, as in the mineral apatite, in bones, etc. It is used in the composition on the tips of friction matches, and for many other purposes. The molecule contains four atoms. Symbol P. Atomic weight 31.0

3. Phosphorusnoun

   hence, any substance which shines in the dark like phosphorus, as certain phosphorescent bodies

4. Etymology: [L., the morning star, Gr. fwsfo`ros, lit., light bringer; fw^s light + fe`rein to bring.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Phosphorus

   Phosphorus is a nonmetallic chemical element with symbol P and atomic number 15. A multivalent pnictogen, phosphorus as a mineral is almost always present in its maximally oxidised state, as inorganic phosphate rocks. Elemental phosphorus exists in two major forms—white phosphorus and red phosphorus—but due to its high reactivity, phosphorus is never found as a free element on Earth. The first form of elemental phosphorus to be produced emits a faint glow upon exposure to oxygen – hence its name given from Greek mythology, Φωσφόρος meaning "light-bearer", referring to the "Morning Star", the planet Venus. The term "phosphorescence", meaning glow after illumination, originally derives from this property of phosphorus, although this word has since been used for a different physical process that produces a glow. The glow of phosphorus itself originates from oxidation of the white phosphorus— a process now termed chemiluminescence. The vast majority of phosphorus compounds are consumed as fertilisers. Other applications include the role of organophosphorus compounds in detergents, pesticides and nerve agents, and matches. Phosphorus is essential for life. As phosphate, it is a component of DNA, RNA, ATP, and also the phospholipids that form all cell membranes. Demonstrating the link between phosphorus and life, elemental phosphorus was historically first isolated from human urine, and bone ash was an important early phosphate source. Phosphate minerals are fossils. Low phosphate levels are an important limit to growth in some aquatic systems. The chief commercial use of phosphorus compounds for production of fertilisers is due to the need to replace the phosphorus that plants remove from the soil.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Phosphorus

   fos′fō-rus, n. the morning-star: a yellowish substance, like wax, inflammable and giving out light in the dark.—n. Phos′phate, a salt formed by the combination of phosphoric acid with a base.—adj. Phosphat′ic, of the nature of, or containing, a phosphate.—ns. Phos′phide, a compound formed of phosphorus and some other element, as copper or iron; Phos′phite, a salt of phosphorous acid; Phos′phor, the morning-star: (obs.) phosphorus.—v.t. Phos′phorate, to combine or impregnate with phosphorus.—n. Phos′phor-bronze, an alloy of copper, tin, and phosphorus.—v.i. Phosphoresce′, to shine in the dark like phosphorus.—n. Phosphoresc′ence.—adjs. Phosphoresc′ent, shining in the dark like phosphorus; Phosphor′ic, Phos′phorous, pertaining to or obtained from phosphorus.—ns. Phos′phorite, a massive radiated variety of apatite; Phos′phuret, a compound of phosphorus with a metal.—adj. Phos′phuretted, combined with phosphorus.—n. Phos′sy-jaw, phosphorous poisoning.—Phosphatic diathesis (med.), the condition in which there is a tendency in the urine to deposit white gravel. [L.,—Gr.,—phōsphoros, light-bearer—phōs, light, phoros, bearing, from pherein, to bear.]

U.S. National Library of MedicineRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Phosphorus

   A non-metal element that has the atomic symbol P, atomic number 15, and atomic weight 31. It is an essential element that takes part in a broad variety of biochemical reactions.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. phosphorus

   An element.

   Phosphorus is an element found in minerals, is an important component in steel making and in the human body.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on November 20, 2015  

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How to pronounce Phosphorus?

1. Alex

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How to say Phosphorus in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Phosphorus in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Phosphorus in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of Phosphorus in a Sentence

1. Jim White:

   Pumpkin seeds are high in vitamin A, vitamin B (including thiamin, riboflavin), vitamin C, vitamin K, niacin, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and protein, they are also high in magnesium, manganese, zinc, potassium, and copper.

2. Hunter Waite:

   This( molecular hydrogen) is just like the icing on the cake, now, you see the chemical energy source that microbes could use. The only thing we haven't seen is phosphorus and sulfur, and that's probably because they were in small enough quantities that we didn't see them. We have to go back and look and search for signs of life as well.

3. Lona Sandon:

   It may have something to do with the phosphorus in soda, or it could be that people are drinking soda instead of other beverages—like milk—that have nutrients necessary for healthy bones.

4. David Catling:

   The extremely high phosphate levels in these lakes and ponds would have driven reactions that put phosphorus into the molecular building blocks of RNA, proteins and fats, all of which were needed to get life going.

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References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=Phosphorus
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Phosphorus
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=Phosphorus
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphorus
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Phosphorus
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=Phosphorus
8. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=Phosphorus