SINCE 1828
pyrophorus
noun
py·roph·o·rus
| \ pīˈräfərəs\
Definition of pyrophorus
1
plural pyrophori
: any of several substances or mixtures (as a carbonized mixture of alum and sugar, or finely divided lead or iron) that ignite spontaneously on exposure to air
2
capitalized
: a genus of large tropical American beetles (family Elateridae) bearing a pair of large luminous organs on the prothorax — see fire beetle
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