/ ˈfɒsfeɪt; NAmE ˈfɑːs-/ noun
[ C , U ] ( chemistry ) any compound containing phosphorus , used in industry or for helping plants to grow :
phosphate-free washing powder
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 18th cent.: from French , from phosphore phosphorus.
/ ˈfɒsfeɪt; NAmE ˈfɑːs-/ noun
[ C , U ] ( chemistry ) any compound containing phosphorus , used in industry or for helping plants to grow :
phosphate-free washing powder
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 18th cent.: from French , from phosphore phosphorus.
Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary. Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне. 2005