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The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section P and Q · Project Gutenberg — chapter 234 of 752 · ~728 words · public domain

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Phel"lo*derm (?), n. [Gr. &?; cork + -derm.] (Bot.) A layer of green parenchimatous cells formed on the inner side of the phellogen.

Phel"lo*gen (?), n. [Gr. &?; cork + - gen.] (Bot.) The tissue of young cells which produces cork cells.

Phel`lo*plas"tics (?), n. [Gr. &?; cork + &?; to mold.] Art of modeling in cork.

Phen"a*cite (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, impostor, deceiver.] (Min.) A glassy colorless mineral occurring in rhombohedral crystals, sometimes used as a gem. It is a silicate of glucina, and receives its name from its deceptive similarity to quartz.

Phen`a*kis"to*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?; a deceiver + -scope.] A revolving disk on which figures drawn in different relative attitudes are seen successively, so as to produce the appearance of an object in actual motion, as an animal leaping, etc., in consequence of the persistence of the successive visual impressions of the retina. It is often arranged so that the figures may be projected upon a screen.

Phe*nan"threne (?), n. [Phenyl + antracene.] (Chem.) A complex hydrocarbon, C14H10, found in coal tar, and obtained as a white crystalline substance with a bluish fluorescence.

Phe*nan"thri*dine (?), n. [Phenanthrene + pyridine.] (Chem.) A nitrogenous hydrocarbon base, C13H9N, analogous to phenanthrene and quinoline.

Phe*nan"thro*line (?), n. [Phenanthrene + quinoline.] (Chem.) Either of two metameric nitrogenous hydrocarbon bases, C12H8N2, analogous to phenanthridine, but more highly nitrogenized.

Phene (?), n. (Chem.) Benzene. [Obs.]

Phe"ne*tol (?), n. [Phenyl + ethyl + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.) The ethyl ether of phenol, obtained as an aromatic liquid, C6H5.O.C2H5.

Phe"nic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, derived from, or resembling, phenyl or phenol.

Phenic acid (Chem.), a phenol. [Obsoles.]

Phe*ni"cian (?), a. & n. See Phúnician.

Phen"i*cine (?), n. [Gr. foi^nix purple red: cf. F. phÈnicine.] (Chem.) (a) A purple powder precipitated when a sulphuric solution of indigo is diluted with water. (b) A coloring matter produced by the action of a mixture of strong nitric and sulphuric acids on phenylic alcohol. Watts.

Phe*ni"cious (?), a. [L. phoeniceus, Gr. foini`keos, from &?; purple red.] Of a red color with a slight mixture of gray. Dana.

Phen`i*cop"ter (?), n. [L. phoenicopterus, Gr. foiniko`pteros, i. e., red- feathered; foi^nix, foi`nikos, purple red + ptero`n feather: cf. F. phÈnicoptËre.] (Zoˆl.) A flamingo.

Phe"nix (?), n.; pl. Phenixes (#). [L. phoenix, Gr. foi^nix.] [Written also phúnix.] 1. (Gr. Myth.) A bird fabled to exist single, to be consumed by fire by its own act, and to rise again from its ashes. Hence, an emblem of immortality.

2. (Astron.) A southern constellation.

3. A marvelous person or thing. [R.] Latimer.

||Phen`o*ga"mi*a (?), n. pl. (Bot.) Same as PhÊnogamia.

{ Phen`o*ga"mi*an (?), Phen`o*gam"ic (?), Phe*nog"a*mous (?) }, a. Same as PhÊnogamian, PhÊnogamic, etc.

Phe"nol (?), n. [Gr. &?; to show + - ol: cf. F. phÈnol.] (Chem.) 1. A white or pinkish crystalline substance, C6H5OH, produced by the destructive distillation of many organic bodies, as wood, coal, etc., and obtained from the heavy oil from coal tar.

It has a peculiar odor, somewhat resembling creosote, which is a complex mixture of phenol derivatives. It is of the type of alcohols, and is called also phenyl alcohol, but has acid properties, and hence is popularly called carbolic acid, and was formerly called phenic acid. It is a powerful caustic poison, and in dilute solution has been used as an antiseptic.

2. Any one of the series of hydroxyl derivatives of which phenol proper is the type.

Glacial phenol (Chem.), pure crystallized phenol or carbolic acid. -- Phenol acid (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds which are at once derivatives of both phenol and some member of the fatty acid series; thus, salicylic acid is a phenol acid. -- Phenol alcohol (Chem.), any one of series of derivatives of phenol and carbinol which have the properties of both combined; thus, saligenin is a phenol alcohol. -- Phenol aldehyde (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds having both phenol and aldehyde properties. - - Phenol phthalein. See under Phthalein.

Phe"no*late (?), n. [Phenol + -ate.] (Chem.) A compound of phenol analogous to a salt.

Phe*nom"e*nal (?), a. [Cf. F. phÈnomÈnal.] Relating to, or of the nature of, a phenomenon; hence, extraordinary; wonderful; as, a phenomenal memory. -- Phe*nom"e*nal*ly, adv.

Phe*nom"e*nal*ism (?), n. (Metaph.) That theory which limits positive or scientific knowledge to phenomena only, whether material or spiritual.

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