Main Entry:

phos·phine

Pronunciation:

\-ˌfēn\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

International Scientific Vocabulary

Date:

1869

1 : any of various derivatives of phosphine analogous to amines but weaker as bases 2 : a colorless poisonous flammable gas PH₃ that is a weaker base than ammonia and that is used especially to fumigate stored grain