phosphor

[ fos-fer, -fawr ]
/ ˈfɒs fər, -fɔr /

noun

any of a number of substances that exhibit luminescence when struck by light of certain wavelengths, as by ultraviolet.
Literary. a phosphorescent substance.

adjective

Archaic. phosphorescent.

Origin of phosphor

1625–35; < French phosphore < Latin Phōsphorus Phosphor

Words nearby phosphor

phosphonecrosis, phosphonic acid, phosphonium, phosphonium iodide, phosphoprotein, phosphor, phosphor bronze, phosphor-, phosphorate, phosphoresce, phosphorescence

Definition for phosphor (2 of 3)

Phosphor
[ fos-fer, -fawr ]
/ ˈfɒs fər, -fɔr /

noun

the morning star, especially Venus.
Also Phos·phore [fos-fawr, -fohr] /ˈfɒs fɔr, -foʊr/, Phosphorus.

Origin of Phosphor

1625–35; < Latin Phōsphorus < Greek Phōsphóros the morning star, literally, the light-bringing one, equivalent to phôs light + -phoros bringing; see -phorous

Definition for phosphor (3 of 3)

phosphor-

variant of phosphoro- before a vowel: phosphorate.

Words related to phosphor

Lucifer, Phosphorus, Venus, daystar

Example sentences from the Web for phosphor

British Dictionary definitions for phosphor

phosphor
/ (ˈfɒsfə) /

noun

a substance, such as the coating on a cathode-ray tube, capable of emitting light when irradiated with particles or electromagnetic radiation

Word Origin for phosphor

C17: from French, ultimately from Greek phōsphoros phosphorus

Medical definitions for phosphor

phosphor-

pref.

Variant ofphosphoro-

Scientific definitions for phosphor

phosphor
[ fŏs′fər ]

Any of various substances that can emit light after absorbing some form of radiation. Television screens and fluorescent lamp tubes are coated on the inside with phosphors. See Note at cathode-ray tube.