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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• UNDERDOLVEN
  p. p. of Underdelve.
• UNDERSOIL
  The soil beneath the surface; understratum; subsoil.
• 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.
• UNDERPROP
  To prop from beneath; to put a prop under; to support; to uphold. Underprop the head that bears the crown. Fenton.
• DISAGREEABLENESS
  The state or quality of being; disagreeable; unpleasantness.
• 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.
• 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.