phos‧pho‧rus /ˈfɒsfərəs $ ˈfɑːs-/ noun [uncountable]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: Greek phosphoros 'carrying light']
a poisonous yellowish chemical substance that starts to burn when it is in the air, and shines in the dark. It is a chemical element: symbol P
—phosphoric /fɒsˈfɒrɪk $ fɑːsˈfɔː-, fɑːsˈfɑː-, ˈfɑːsfərɪk/ adjective:
phosphoric acid

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲