PHOSPHORUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does Phosphorus mean? 

• PHOSPHORUS (noun)
  The noun PHOSPHORUS has 2 senses:

1. a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

2. a planet (usually Venus) seen just before sunrise in the eastern sky

  Familiarity information: PHOSPHORUS used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PHOSPHORUS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Synonyms:

atomic number 15; P; phosphorus

Hypernyms ("phosphorus" is a kind of...):

chemical element; element (any of the more than 100 known substances (of which 92 occur naturally) that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter)

Holonyms ("phosphorus" is a substance of...):

apatite (a common complex mineral consisting of calcium fluoride phosphate or calcium chloride phosphate; a source of phosphorus)

Derivation:

phosphoric; phosphorous (containing or characteristic of phosphorus)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A planet (usually Venus) seen just before sunrise in the eastern sky

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)

Synonyms:

daystar; Lucifer; morning star; Phosphorus

Hypernyms ("Phosphorus" is a kind of...):

major planet; planet ((astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light; Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto in order of their proximity to the sun; viewed from the constellation Hercules, all the planets rotate around the sun in a counterclockwise direction)

 Context examples 

Also called: Chromium, Copper, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Selenium

(Minerals, NIH)

Many of these carcinogenic chemicals will frequently contain hydrogen with or without oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and other elements.

(Organic Carcinogen, NCI Thesaurus)

Lower-than-normal amount of phosphorus in the blood.

(Hypophosphatemia, NCI Dictionary)

Forms of the element phosphorus found in foods.

(Dietary Phosphorus, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)

A form of vitamin D that helps the body use calcium and phosphorus to make strong bones and teeth.

(Ergocalciferol, NCI Dictionary)

Organic compounds that contains phosphorus and a metal-carbon bond with Boron atoms.

(Organo-Metallic, Phosphorus, Boron Derivatives, NCI Thesaurus)

A radioactive form of the element phosphorus used in the treatment of cancer.

(P-32, NCI Dictionary)

A radioactive isotope of phosphorus with beta particle-emitting radiocytotoxic activity.

(Phosphorus P-32, NCI Thesaurus)

A radioactive form of phosphorus used in the treatment of cancer.

(Phosphorus P-32, NCI Dictionary)

Having to do with or containing the element phosphorus.

(Phosphoric, NCI Dictionary)