SULPHUROUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sulphurous mean? 

• SULPHUROUS (adjective)
  The adjective SULPHUROUS has 3 senses:

1. of or related to or containing sulfur or derived from sulfur

2. harsh or corrosive in tone

3. characterized by oppressive heat and humidity

  Familiarity information: SULPHUROUS used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SULPHUROUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or related to or containing sulfur or derived from sulfur

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

sulfurous; sulphurous

Pertainym:

sulphur (an abundant tasteless odorless multivalent nonmetallic element; best known in yellow crystals; occurs in many sulphide and sulphate minerals and even in native form (especially in volcanic regions))

Derivation:

sulphur (an abundant tasteless odorless multivalent nonmetallic element; best known in yellow crystals; occurs in many sulphide and sulphate minerals and even in native form (especially in volcanic regions))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Harsh or corrosive in tone

Synonyms:

acerb; acerbic; acid; acrid; bitter; blistering; caustic; sulfurous; sulphurous; virulent; vitriolic

Context example:

a vitriolic critique

Similar:

unpleasant (offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Characterized by oppressive heat and humidity

Synonyms:

stifling; sulfurous; sulphurous; sultry

Context example:

the sulfurous atmosphere preceding a thunderstorm

Similar:

hot (used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning)

 Context examples 

The air was oppressive; it seemed as if there was some sulphurous fume, which at times made me dizzy.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The eruption of the Eldgjá in the tenth century is known as a lava flood: a rare type of prolonged volcanic eruption in which huge flows of lava engulf the landscape, accompanied by a haze of sulphurous gases.

(Volcanic eruption influenced Iceland’s conversion to Christianity, University of Cambridge)