Part 245

Phos"phide (?), n. (Chem.) A binary compound of phosphorus.

Phos"phine (?), n. (Chem.) A colorless gas, PH3, analogous to ammonia, and having a disagreeable odor resembling that of garlic. Called also hydrogen phosphide, and formerly, phosphureted hydrogen.

It is the most important compound of phosphorus and hydrogen, and is produced by the action of caustic potash on phosphorus. It is spontaneously inflammable, owing to impurities, and in burning produces peculiar vortical rings of smoke.

Phos*phin"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, certain acids analogous to the phosphonic acids, but containing two hydrocarbon radicals, and derived from the secondary phosphines by oxidation.

Phos"phite (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of phosphorous acid.

Phos*phon"ic (?), a. [Phosphoric + sulphonic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, certain derivatives of phosphorous acid containing a hydrocarbon radical, and analogous to the sulphonic acid.

Phos*pho"ni*um (?), n. [Phosphorus + ammonium.] (Chem.) The hypothetical radical PH4, analogous to ammonium, and regarded as the nucleus of certain derivatives of phosphine.

Phos"phor (?), n. [Cf. G. phosphor. See Phosphorus.] 1. Phosphorus. [Obs.] Addison.

2. The planet Venus, when appearing as the morning star; Lucifer. [Poetic] Pope. Tennyson.

Phos"phor*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Phosphorated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Phosphorating.] (Chem.) To impregnate, or combine, with phosphorus or its compounds; as, phosphorated oil.

Phos"phor-bronze` (?), n. [Phosphor + bronze.] (Metal.) A variety of bronze possessing great hardness, elasticity, and toughness, obtained by melting copper with tin phosphide. It contains one or two per cent of phosphorus and from five to fifteen per cent of tin.

Phos*pho"re*ous (?), a. Phosphorescent. [Obs.]

Phos`phor*esce" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Phosphoresced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Phosphorescing (?).] To shine as phosphorus; to be phosphorescent; to emit a phosphoric light.

Phos`phor*es"cence (?), n. [Cf. F. phosphorescence.] 1. The quality or state of being phosphorescent; or the act of phosphorescing.

2. A phosphoric light.

Phos`phor*es"cent (?), a. [Cf. F. phosphorescent.] Shining with a phosphoric light; luminous without sensible heat. -- n. A phosphorescent substance.

Phos*phor"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. phosphorique.] 1. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to phosphorus; resembling, or containing, from us; specifically, designating those compounds in which phosphorus has a higher valence as contrasted with the phosphorous compounds.

2. Phosphorescent. "A phosphoric sea." Byron.

Glacial phosphoric acid. (Chem.) (a) Metaphosphoric acid in the form of glassy semitransparent masses or sticks. (b) Pure normal phosphoric acid. -- Phosphoric acid (Chem.), a white crystalline substance, H3PO4, which is the most highly oxidized acid of phosphorus, and forms an important and extensive series of compounds, viz., the phosphates. -- Soluble phosphoric acid, Insoluble phosphoric acid (Agric. Chem.), phosphoric acid combined in acid salts, or in neutral or basic salts, which are respectively soluble and insoluble in water or in plant juices. -- Reverted phosphoric acid (Agric. Chem.), phosphoric acid changed from acid (soluble) salts back to neutral or basic (insoluble) salts.

Phos*phor"ic*al (?), a. (Old Chem.) Phosphoric.

Phos"phor*ite (?), n. (Min.) A massive variety of apatite.

Phos`phor*it"ic (?), a. (Min.) Pertaining to phosphorite; resembling, or of the nature of, phosphorite.

Phos"phor*ize (?), v. t. To phosphorate.

Phos"phor*ized (?), a. Containing, or impregnated with, phosphorus.

Phos`phor*o*gen"ic (?), a. [Phosphorus + -gen + -ic.] Generating phosphorescence; as, phosphorogenic rays.

Phos*phor"o*scope (?), n. [Phosphorus + -scope.] (Physics) An apparatus for observing the phosphorescence produced in different bodies by the action of light, and for measuring its duration.

Phos"phor*ous (?), a. [Cf. F. phosphoreux.] (Chem.) Of or pertaining to phosphorus; resembling or containing phosphorus; specifically, designating those compounds in which phosphorus has a lower valence as contrasted with phosphoric compounds; as, phosphorous acid, H3PO3.

Phos"phor*us (?), n.; pl. Phosphori (#). [L., the morning star, Gr. &?;, lit., light bringer; &?; light + &?; to bring.] 1. The morning star; Phosphor.