From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishphosphorusphos‧pho‧rus /ˈfɒsfərəs $ ˈfɑːs-/ noun [uncountable] HCEa poisonous yellowish chemical substance that starts to burn when it is in the air, and shines in the dark. It is a chemical element: symbol P —phosphoric /fɒsˈfɒrɪk $ fɑːsˈfɔː-, fɑːsˈfɑː-, ˈfɑːsfərɪk/ adjective phosphoric acid
Examples from the Corpus
phosphorus• The different soda, magnesia and phosphorus pentoxide levels can be related to the use of a different soda source.• In deeper shade, apply phosphorus occasionally as a boost for flowering plants.• Black phosphorus only occurs at high pressures-this is not shown in figure 6.9.• When combined with the effect on bone, the overall result is a decreased blood phosphorus.• This must be rectified because a higher phosphorus level will interfere with calcium absorption in the horse's gut creating further problems.• Examples are iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium.• There was a trick to it, which involved artillery and white phosphorus, but the overall effect was spectacular.Origin phosphorus (1600-1700) Modern Latin Greek phosphoros “carrying light” 