ˈfäsfər, -ˌsfȯ(ə)r noun
( -s )
Etymology: French phosphore, from New Latin phosphorus — more at phosphorus
1. : anything that exhibits phosphorescence
her eyes … flashed phosphor and sharp sparks — John Keats
2. also phos·phore -ˌsfȯ(ə)r : any of various phosphorescent or fluorescent materials (as zinc sulfide activated with silver or copper or zinc silicate activated with manganese) that may occur as minerals (as wurtzite or willemite) but are now usually produced synthetically and are used chiefly in fluorescent lamps, in cathode-ray tubes (as for television and radar), in instruments for detecting various radiations, and in luminous paints and inks