Phosphoric
/fɒsˈfɒr.ɪk/noun
Relating to phosphorus or containing phosphorus; also, in chemistry, relating to phosphoric acid or its salts.
Did you know?The root behind *phosphoric* comes from Greek *phōsphoros*, the “light-bringer,” a name ancient Greeks used for the morning star, Venus, long before it became a chemical term.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
phōsphoros (φωσφόρος)
“light-bringing; the morning star, Venus”
Late Latin
Lat
phosphorus
“the morning star; later, a substance that glows or gives light”
Medieval Latin
Lat
phosphoricus
“pertaining to phosphorus”
17th–18th Century
English
phosphoric
“relating to phosphorus or a phosphoric acid compound”
Modern English
English
phosphoric
“relating to phosphorus or phosphoric acid”
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