Phocine - Phosphorus

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Phocine (?), a. [L. phoca a seal.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the seal tribe; phocal.
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Phocodont (?), n. (Zoöl.) One of the Phocodontia.
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Phocodontia (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. � a seal + 'odoys, 'odontos, a tooth.] (Zoöl.) A group of extinct carnivorous whales. Their teeth had compressed and serrated crowns. It includes Squalodon and allied genera.
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Phœbe (?), n. (Zoöl.) The pewee, or pewit.
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Phœbus (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. �, fr. � pure, bright.] 1. (Class. Myth.) Apollo; the sun god.
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2. The sun. “Phœbus 'gins arise.” Shak.
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Phœnician (?), a. Of or pertaining to Phœnica. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Phœnica.
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Phœnicious (?), a. See .
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Phœnicopterus (?), n. [NL. See .] (Zoöl.) A genus of birds which includes the flamingoes.
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Phœnix (?), n. [L., a fabulous bird. See .] 1. Same as . Shak.
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2. (Bot.) A genus of palms including the date tree.
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Pholad (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any species of Pholas.
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Pholadean (?), n. (Zoöl.) Pholad.
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Pholas (?), n.; pl. Pholades (#). [NL., fr. Gr. �, �, a kind of mollusk.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of marine bivalve mollusks of the genus Pholas, or family Pholadidæ. They bore holes for themselves in clay, peat, and soft rocks.
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Phonal (?), a. [Gr. � the voice.] Of or relating to the voice; as, phonal structure. Max Müller.
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Phonascetics (?), n. [Gr. � to practice the voice; � voice + � to practice.] Treatment for restoring or improving the voice.
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Phonation (?), n. [Gr. � the voice.] The act or process by which articulate sounds are uttered; the utterance of articulate sounds; articulate speech.
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Phonautograph (?), n. [Phono- + Gr. � self + -graph.] (Physics) An instrument by means of which a sound can be made to produce a visible trace or record of itself. It consists essentially of a resonant vessel, usually of paraboloidal form, closed at one end by a flexible membrane. A stylus attached to some point of the membrane records the movements of the latter, as it vibrates, upon a moving cylinder or plate.
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Phone, n. & v. t. Colloq. for .
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Phone, n. (Phonetics) a speech sound.
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Phoneidoscope (?), n. [Phono- + Gr. e'i^dos form + -scope.] (Physics) An instrument for studying the motions of sounding bodies by optical means. It consists of a tube across the end of which is stretched a film of soap solution thin enough to give colored bands, the form and position of which are affected by sonorous vibrations.
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Phonetic (?), a. [Gr. �, fr. � a sound, tone; akin to Gr. � to speak: cf. F. phonétique. See a proclamation.] 1. Of or pertaining to the voice, or its use.
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2. Representing sounds; as, phonetic characters; -- opposed to ideographic; as, a phonetic notation.
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Coloq. Phonetic spelling , spelling in phonetic characters, each representing one sound only; -- contrasted with Romanic spelling, or that by the use of the Roman alphabet.
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Phonetically, adv. In a phonetic manner.
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Phonetician (?), n. One versed in phonetics; a phonetist.
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Phonetics (?), n. 1. The doctrine or science of sounds; especially those of the human voice; phonology.
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2. The art of representing vocal sounds by signs and written characters.
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Phonetism (?), n. The science which treats of vocal sounds. J. Peile.
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Phonetist (?), n. 1. One versed in phonetics; a phonologist.
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2. One who advocates a phonetic spelling.
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Phonetization (?), n. The act, art, or process of representing sounds by phonetic signs.
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Phonetize (?), v. t. To represent by phonetic signs. Lowell.
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phoney (fōnē), a. [Also spelled phony.] [Compar. phonier (?); superl. phoniest.] 1. imitating something superior; intended to deceive; fraudulent; having a misleading appearance; not genuine; counterfeit; fake; as, a phoney diamond; a phoney hundred-dollar bill.
Syn. -- bogus, counterfeit, fake.
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2. pretending to be other than one is; putting on false appearances; insincere; hypocritical; -- of people.
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phoney (fōnē), n. something or someone that is phony. [Also spelled phony.]
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Phonic (?), a. [Gr. � sound: cf. F. phonique.] Of or pertaining to sound; of the nature of sound; acoustic. Tyndall.
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Phonics (?), n. 1. same as .
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2. a method of teaching reading and spelling to beginning students, emphasizing the sound values of individual letters and syllables, and the relationship between pronunciation and spelling. Contrasted to whole language method and sentence method.
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Phono- (?). A combining form from Gr. � sound, tone; as, phonograph, phonology.
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Phono (?), n. (Zoöl.) A South American butterfly (Ithonia phono) having nearly transparent wings.
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Phonocamptic (?), a. [Phono- + Gr. � to bend: cf. F. phonocamptique.] Reflecting sound. [R.] “Phonocamptic objects.” Derham.
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Phonogram (?), n. [Phono- + -gram.] 1. A letter, character, or mark used to represent a particular sound.
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Phonograms are of three kinds: (1) Verbal signs, which stand for entire words; (2) Syllabic signs, which stand for the articulations of which words are composed; (3) Alphabetic signs, or letters, which represent the elementary sounds into which the syllable can be resolved. I. Taylor (The Alphabet).
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2. A record of sounds made by a phonograph.
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Phonograph (?), n. [Phono- + -graph.] 1. A character or symbol used to represent a sound, esp. one used in phonography.
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2. (Physics) An instrument for the mechanical registration and reproduction of audible sounds, as articulate speech, etc. It consists of a rotating cylinder or disk covered with some material easily indented, as tinfoil, wax, paraffin, etc., above which is a thin plate carrying a stylus. As the plate vibrates under the influence of a sound, the stylus makes minute indentations or undulations in the soft material, and these, when the cylinder or disk is again turned, set the plate in vibration, and reproduce the sound.
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3. an instrument for reproducing sounds, especially music, previously recorded on a plastic cylinder or disk as a pattern of bumps or wiggles in a groove. A needle (stylus) held in the groove is made to vibrate by motion (rotation) of the recording, and the vibrations caused by the bumps and wiggles are transmitted directly to a membrane, or first to an electronic amplifier circuit, thereby reproducing with greater or less fidelity the original sounds. A phonograph which is equipped with electronics enabling the playback of sound with high fidelity to the original is often called a hi-fi. In the 1990's such devices are beginning to be replaced in many homes by compact disk players; the production of plastic recordings of music for playback on a phonograph has almost ceased for entertainment purposes.
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Phonographer (?), n. 1. One versed or skilled in phonography.
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2. One who uses, or is skilled in the use of, the phonograph. See , 2.
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{ Phonographic (?), Phonographical (?), } a. [Cf. F. phonographique.] 1. Of or pertaining to phonography; based upon phonography.
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2. Of or pertaining to phonograph; done by the phonograph.
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Phonographically, adv. In a phonographic manner; by means of phonograph.
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Phonographist (?), n. Phonographer.
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Phonography (?), n. [Phono- + -graphy.] 1. A description of the laws of the human voice, or sounds uttered by the organs of speech.
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2. A representation of sounds by distinctive characters; commonly, a system of shorthand writing invented by Isaac Pitman, or a modification of his system, much used by reporters.
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☞ The consonants are represented by straight lines and curves; the vowels by dots and short dashes; but by skilled phonographers, in rapid work, most vowel marks are omitted, and brief symbols for common words and combinations of words are extensively employed. The following line is an example of phonography, in which all the sounds are indicated: --
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They also serve who only stand and wait. Milton.

3. The art of constructing, or using, the phonograph.
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Phonolite (?), n. [Phono- + -lite: cf. F. phonolithe.] (Min.) A compact, feldspathic, igneous rock containing nephelite, haüynite, etc. Thin slabs give a ringing sound when struck; -- called also clinkstone.
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Phonologer (?), n. A phonologist.
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{ Phonologic (?), Phonological (?), } a. Of or pertaining to phonology.
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Phonologist (?), n. One versed in phonology.
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Phonology (?), n. [Phono- + -logy.] The science or doctrine of the elementary sounds uttered by the human voice in speech, including the various distinctions, modifications, and combinations of tones; phonetics. Also, a treatise on sounds.
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Phonometer (?), n. [Phono- + -meter.] (Physics) An instrument for measuring sounds, as to their intensity, or the frequency of the vibrations.
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Phonomotor (?), n. [Phono- + -motor.] (Physics) An instrument in which motion is produced by the vibrations of a sounding body.
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Phonorganon (?), n. [NL. See , and .] A speaking machine.
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Phonoscope (?), n. [Phono- + -scope.] (Physics) (a) An instrument for observing or exhibiting the motions or properties of sounding bodies; especially, an apparatus invented by König for testing the quality of musical strings. (b) An instrument for producing luminous figures by the vibrations of sounding bodies.
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Phonotype (?), n. [Phono- + -type.] A type or character used in phonotypy.
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{ Phonotypic (?), Phonotypical (?), } a. Of or pertaining to phonotypy; as, a phonotypic alphabet.
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Phonotypist (?), n. One versed in phonotypy.
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Phonotypy (?), n. A method of phonetic printing of the English language, as devised by Mr. Pitman, in which nearly all the ordinary letters and many new forms are employed in order to indicate each elementary sound by a separate character.
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phony (fōnē), a. [Also spelled phoney.] [Compar. phonier (?); superl. phoniest.] 1. imitating something superior; intended to deceive; fraudulent; having a misleading appearance; not genuine; counterfeit; fake; as, a phony diamond; a phony hundred-dollar bill.
Syn. -- bogus, counterfeit, fake.
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2. pretending to be other than one is; putting on false appearances; insincere; hypocritical; -- of people.
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phony (fōnē), n. something or someone that is phony. [Also spelled phoney.]
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-phore (fôr), suff. [Gr. ferein to bring, bear, carry.] Combining form meaning bearer of the element preceding; as, ionophore; semaphore.
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Phorminx (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. �.] A kind of lyre used by the Greeks. Mrs. Browning.
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Phormium (?), n. [NL. fr. Gr. � a plaited mat, a kind of plant.] (Bot.) A genus of liliaceous plants, consisting of one species (Phormium tenax). See .
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Phorone (?), n. [Camphor + acetone.] (Chem.) A yellow crystalline substance, having a geraniumlike odor, regarded as a complex derivative of acetone, and obtained from certain camphor compounds.
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Phoronis (?), n. [NL., fr. L. Phoronis, a surname of Io, Gr. �.] (Zoöl.) A remarkable genus of marine worms having tentacles around the mouth. It is usually classed with the gephyreans. Its larva (Actinotrocha) undergoes a peculiar metamorphosis.
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Phoronomia (?), n. [NL.] See .
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Phoronomics (?), n. [Gr. � a carrying, motion + � a law.] The science of motion; kinematics. [R.] Weisbach.
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Phosgene (?), a. [Gr. fw^s light + the root of gignesqai to be born: cf. F. phosgène.] (Old Chem.) Producing, or produced by, the action of light; -- used specifically to designate a gas also called carbonyl chloride. See .
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phosgene (fŏsjēn or fŏzjēn), n. (Chem.) A reactive chemical substance (COCl2), also called carbonyl choride, used in synthesis of numerous substances. In the First Worlds War it was also used as a poisonous gas in combat.
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Phosgenite (?), n. (Min.) A rare mineral occurring in tetragonal crystals of a white, yellow, or grayish color and adamantine luster. It is a chlorocarbonate of lead.
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Phospham (?), n. [Phosphorus + ammonia.] (Chem.) An inert amorphous white powder, PN2H, obtained by passing ammonia over heated phosphorus. [Spelt also phosphame.] -- Phosphamic (#), a.
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Phosphate (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of phosphoric acid.
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Phosphatic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or containing, phosphorus, phosphoric acid, or phosphates; as, phosphatic nodules.
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Coloq. Phosphatic diathesis (Med.), a habit of body which leads to the undue excretion of phosphates with the urine.
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Phosphaturia (?), n. [NL. See , and .] (Med.) The excessive discharge of phosphates in the urine.
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Phosphene (?), n. [Gr. � light + � to show.] (Physiol.) A luminous impression produced through excitation of the retina by some cause other than the impingement upon it of rays of light, as by pressure upon the eyeball when the lids are closed. Cf. .
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Phosphide (?), n. (Chem.) A binary compound of phosphorus.
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Phosphine (?), n. (Chem.) A colorless gas, PH3, analogous to ammonia, and having a disagreeable odor resembling that of garlic. Called also hydrogen phosphide, and formerly, phosphureted hydrogen.
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☞ It is the most important compound of phosphorus and hydrogen, and is produced by the action of caustic potash on phosphorus. It is spontaneously inflammable, owing to impurities, and in burning produces peculiar vortical rings of smoke.
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Phosphine (?), n. (Dyeing) Chrysaniline, often in the form of a salt.
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Phosphinic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, certain acids analogous to the phosphonic acids, but containing two hydrocarbon radicals, and derived from the secondary phosphines by oxidation.
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Phosphite (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of phosphorous acid.
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Phosphonic (?), a. [Phosphoric + sulphonic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, certain derivatives of phosphorous acid containing a hydrocarbon radical, and analogous to the sulphonic acid.
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Phosphonium (?), n. [Phosphorus + ammonium.] (Chem.) The hypothetical radical PH4, analogous to ammonium, and regarded as the nucleus of certain derivatives of phosphine.
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Phosphor (?), n. [Cf. G. phosphor. See .] 1. Phosphorus. [Obs.] Addison.
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2. The planet Venus, when appearing as the morning star; Lucifer. [Poetic] Pope. Tennyson.
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Phosphorate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Phosphorated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Phosphorating.] (Chem.) To impregnate, or combine, with phosphorus or its compounds; as, phosphorated oil.
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Phosphor-bronze (?), n. [Phosphor + bronze.] (Metal.) A variety of bronze possessing great hardness, elasticity, and toughness, obtained by melting copper with tin phosphide. It contains one or two per cent of phosphorus and from five to fifteen per cent of tin.
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Phosphoreous (?), a. Phosphorescent. [Obs.]
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Phosphoresce (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Phosphoresced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Phosphorescing (?).] To shine as phosphorus; to be phosphorescent; to emit a phosphoric light.
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Phosphorescence (?), n. [Cf. F. phosphorescence.] 1. The quality or state of being phosphorescent; or the act of phosphorescing.
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2. A phosphoric light.
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Phosphorescent (?), a. [Cf. F. phosphorescent.] Shining with a phosphoric light; luminous without sensible heat. -- n. A phosphorescent substance.
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Phosphoric (?), a. [Cf. F. phosphorique.] 1. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to phosphorus; resembling, or containing, from us; specifically, designating those compounds in which phosphorus has a higher valence as contrasted with the phosphorous compounds.
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2. Phosphorescent. “A phosphoric sea.” Byron.
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Coloq. Glacial phosphoric acid . (Chem.) (a) Metaphosphoric acid in the form of glassy semitransparent masses or sticks. (b) Pure normal phosphoric acid. -- Coloq. Phosphoric acid (Chem.), a white crystalline substance, H3PO4, which is the most highly oxidized acid of phosphorus, and forms an important and extensive series of compounds, viz., the phosphates. -- Coloq. Soluble phosphoric acid , Coloq. Insoluble phosphoric acid (Agric. Chem.), phosphoric acid combined in acid salts, or in neutral or basic salts, which are respectively soluble and insoluble in water or in plant juices. -- Coloq. Reverted phosphoric acid (Agric. Chem.), phosphoric acid changed from acid (soluble) salts back to neutral or basic (insoluble) salts.
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Phosphorical (?), a. (Old Chem.) Phosphoric.
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Phosphorite (?), n. (Min.) A massive variety of apatite.
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Phosphoritic (?), a. (Min.) Pertaining to phosphorite; resembling, or of the nature of, phosphorite.
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Phosphorize (?), v. t. To phosphorate.
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Phosphorized (?), a. Containing, or impregnated with, phosphorus.
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Phosphorogenic (?), a. [Phosphorus + -gen + -ic.] Generating phosphorescence; as, phosphorogenic rays.
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Phosphoroscope (?), n. [Phosphorus + -scope.] (Physics) An apparatus for observing the phosphorescence produced in different bodies by the action of light, and for measuring its duration.
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Phosphorous (fŏsfŏrŭs), a. [Cf. F. phosphoreux.] (Chem.) Of or pertaining to phosphorus; resembling or containing phosphorus; specifically, designating those compounds in which phosphorus has a lower valence as contrasted with phosphoric compounds; as, phosphorous acid, H3PO3.
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Phosphorus (fŏsfŏrŭs), n.; pl. Phosphori (fŏsfŏrī). [L., the morning star, Gr. fwsforos, lit., light bringer; fw^s light + ferein to bring.] 1. The morning star; Phosphor.
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2. (Chem.) A poisonous nonmetallic element of the nitrogen group, obtained as a white, or yellowish, translucent waxy substance, having a characteristic disagreeable smell; this waxy allotropic form is also called yellow phosphorus, to distinguish it from another allotropic form, red phosphorus. It is very active chemically, must be preserved under water, and unites with oxygen even at ordinary temperatures, giving a faint glow, -- whence its name. It always occurs combined, usually in phosphates, as in the mineral apatite, in bones, etc. It is used in the composition on the tips of friction matches, and for many other purposes. The molecule contains four atoms. Symbol P. Atomic weight 31.0.
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3. (Chem.) Hence, any substance which shines in the dark like phosphorus, as certain phosphorescent bodies.
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Coloq. Bologna phosphorus (Chem.), sulphide of barium, which shines in the dark after exposure to light; -- so called because this property was discovered by a resident of Bologna. The term is sometimes applied to other compounds having similar properties. -- Coloq. Metallic phosphorus (Chem.), an allotropic modification of phosphorus, obtained as a gray metallic crystalline substance, having very inert chemical properties. It is obtained by heating ordinary phosphorus in a closed vessel at a high temperature. -- Coloq. Phosphorus disease (Med.), a disease common among workers in phosphorus, giving rise to necrosis of the jawbone, and other symptoms. -- Coloq. Red phosphorus , or Coloq. Amorphous phosphorus (Chem.), an allotropic modification of phosphorus, obtained as a dark red powder by heating ordinary phosphorus in closed vessels. It is not poisonous, is not phosphorescent, and is only moderately active chemically. It is valuable as a chemical reagent, and is used in the composition of the friction surface on which safety matches are ignited. -- Coloq. Solar phosphori (Chem.), phosphorescent substances which shine in the dark after exposure to the sunlight or other intense light. -- Coloq. yellow phosphorus (Chem.), the waxy yellow allotropic form of elemental phosphorus. See also {2}.
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