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.
2. (Chem.) A poisonous nonmetallic element of the nitrogen group,
obtained as a white, or yellowish, translucent waxy substance, having a
characteristic disagreeable smell. It is very active chemically, must
be preserved under water, and unites with oxygen even at ordinary
temperatures, giving a faint glow, -- whence its name. It always occurs
compined, usually in phosphates, as in the mineral apatite, in bones,
etc. It is used in the composition on the tips of friction matches, and
for many other purposes. The molecule contains four atoms. Symbol P.
Atomic weight 31.0.
3. (Chem.) Hence, any substance which shines in the dark like
phosphorus, as certain phosphorescent bodies.
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. -- 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. -- Phosphorus disease (Med.), a disease common among
workers in phosphorus, giving rise to necrosis of the jawbone, and
other symptoms. -- Red, or 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. -- Solar
phosphori (Chem.), phosphorescent substances which shine in the dark
after exposure to the sunlight or other intense light.
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Phos"phor*yl (?), n. [Phosphorus + -yl.] (Chem.) The radical PO,
regarded as the typical nucleus of certain compounds.