/ ˈfɒsfərəs; NAmE ˈfɑːs-/ noun
[ U ] ( symb P ) a chemical element found in several different forms, including as a poisonous, pale yellow substance that shines in the dark and starts to burn as soon as it is placed in air
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WORD ORIGIN
late 17th cent.: from Latin , from Greek phōsphoros , from phōs light + -phoros -bringing.