n.
Pronunciation: ' fäs-f ə r, - ˌ fo ̇ r
Variant: also phos · phore \ - ˌ fo ̇ r, -f ə r \
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin phosphorus, from Greek ph ō sphoros, literally, light bringer, from ph ō sphoros light-bearing, from ph ō s light + pherein to carry, bring ― more at FANCY , BEAR
Date: 1705
1 : a phosphorescent substance
2 : a luminescent substance that emits light when excited by radiation (as electrons) and is used especially in fluorescent lamps and cathode-ray tubes