phlogiston noun. [flǝ'dʒɪstǝn, -'gɪst-] M18.
[Greek, from phlogizein set on fire, from phlog-, phlox flame, deriv. of ablaut var. of phleg- base of phlegein to burn.]
History of Science. A hypothetical substance formerly supposed to exist in combination in all combustible materials and to be released in the process of combustion; the element fire, conceived as fixed in flammable substances.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲