phosphorus : Idioms & Phrases
Index
Bologna phosphorus
(Chem.) , sulphide of barium, which shines in the dark after exposure to light; so called because this property was discovered by a resident of Bologna. The term is sometimes applied to other compounds having similar properties.
Webster 1913
Metallic phosphorus
(Chem.) , an allotropic modification of phosphorus, obtained as a gray metallic crystalline substance, having very inert chemical properties. It is obtained by heating ordinary phosphorus in a closed vessel at a high temperature.
Webster 1913
Phosphorus disease
(Med.) , a disease common among workers in phosphorus, giving rise to necrosis of the jawbone, and other symptoms.
Webster 1913
Red phosphorus
- .
(Chem.) See underPhosphorus .
Webster 1913
Red, ∨ Amorphous , phosphorus
(Chem.) , an allotropic modification of phosphorus, obtained as a dark red powder by heating ordinary phosphorus in closed vessels. It is not poisonous, is not phosphorescent, and is only moderately active chemically. It is valuable as a chemical reagent, and is used in the composition of the friction surface on which safety matches are ignited.
Webster 1913
Solar phosphori
(Chem.) , phosphorescent substances which shine in the dark after exposure to the sunlight or other intense light.
