Word Meanings - PHOSPHORUS - Book Publishers vocabulary database
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
Additional info about word: PHOSPHORUS
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. (more info) 1. The morning star; Phosphor.
Related words: (words related to PHOSPHORUS)
- UNDERDOER
One who underdoes; a shirk. - UNDERBRED
Not thoroughly bred; ill-bred; as, an underbred fellow. Goldsmith. - WATER-BEARER
The constellation Aquarius. - UNDERSECRETARY
A secretary who is subordinate to the chief secretary; an assistant secretary; as, an undersecretary of the Treasury. - WHITECAP
The European redstart; -- so called from its white forehead. The whitethroat; -- so called from its gray head. The European tree sparrow. 2. A wave whose crest breaks into white foam, as when the wind is freshening. - WHITE-FRONTED
Having a white front; as, the white-fronted lemur. White- fronted goose , the white brant, or snow goose. See Snow goose, under Snow. - CHARACTERISTIC
Pertaining to, or serving to constitute, the character; showing the character, or distinctive qualities or traits, of a person or thing; peculiar; distinctive. Characteristic clearness of temper. Macaulay. - UNDERPLOT
1. A series of events in a play, proceeding collaterally with the main story, and subservient to it. Dryden. 2. A clandestine scheme; a trick. Addison. - WHITE FLY
Any one of numerous small injurious hemipterous insects of the genus Aleyrodes, allied to scale insects. They are usually covered with a white or gray powder. - HAVENED
Sheltered in a haven. Blissful havened both from joy and pain. Keats. - UNDERNICENESS
A want of niceness; indelicacy; impropriety. - UNDERSOIL
The soil beneath the surface; understratum; subsoil. - UNDERDOLVEN
p. p. of Underdelve. - WATERWORT
Any plant of the natural order Elatineæ, consisting of two genera , mostly small annual herbs growing in the edges of ponds. Some have a peppery or acrid taste. - WHITESTER
A bleacher of lines; a whitener; a whitster. - WATER SHREW
Any one of several species of shrews having fringed feet and capable of swimming actively. The two common European species are the best known. The most common American water shrew, or marsh shrew , is rarely seen, owing to its nocturnal habits. - WHITE-HEART
A somewhat heart-shaped cherry with a whitish skin. - UNDERNIME
1. To receive; to perceive. He the savor undernom Which that the roses and the lilies cast. Chaucer. 2. To reprove; to reprehend. Piers Plowman. - UNDERPROP
To prop from beneath; to put a prop under; to support; to uphold. Underprop the head that bears the crown. Fenton. - WATER-TIGHT
So tight as to retain, or not to admit, water; not leaky. - SELF-ACTIVE
Acting of one's self or of itself; acting without depending on other agents. - CHYLIFACTIVE
Producing, or converting into, chyle; having the power to form chyle. - COUNTERACTIVE
Tending to counteract. - DEOXYGENATE
To deoxidize. - PLUNDERER
One who plunders or pillages.