Main Entry:

phos·pho·rus

Pronunciation:

\ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs\

Function:

noun

Usage:

often attributive

Etymology:

New Latin, from Greek phōsphoros light-bearing — more at phosphor

Date:

1645

1: a phosphorescent substance or body ; especially : one that shines or glows in the dark2also phos·pho·rous \same\ : a nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs widely especially as phosphates — see element table