Webster's Unabridged Dictionary - Letter P - Page 55
Phono- () A combining form from Gr. fwnh` sound, tone; as, phonograph, phonology.
Phono (n.) (Zool.) A South American butterfly ({Ithonia phono) having nearly transparent wings.
Phonocamptic (a.) Reflecting sound. [R.] "Phonocamptic objects." -- Derham.
Phonogram (n.) A letter, character, or mark used to represent a particular sound.
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).
Phonogram (n.) A record of sounds made by a phonograph.
Phonogram (n.) Any written symbol standing for a sound or syllable or morpheme or word.
Phonograph (n.) A character or symbol used to represent a sound, esp. one used in phonography. [archaic]
Phonograph (n.) (Physics) An instrument for the mechanical registration and reproduction of audible sounds, as articulate speech, etc. An early simple version consisted 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. Modern versions use electronic circuitry and various more stable recording media to record sound more accurately.
Phonograph (n.) 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 transduced into electrical impulses and sent 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.
Note: 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.
Phonograph (n.) Machine in which rotating records cause a stylus to vibrate and the vibrations are amplified acoustically or electronically [syn: record player, phonograph].
Phonograph, (n.) An irritating toy that restores life to dead noises.
Phonographer (n.) One versed or skilled in phonography.
Phonographer (n.) One who uses, or is skilled in the use of, the phonograph. See Phonograph, 2. Phonographic
Phonographic (a.) Alt. of Phonographical.
Phonographical (a.) Of or pertaining to phonography; based upon phonography.
Phonographical (a.) Of or pertaining to phonograph; done by the phonograph.
Phonographically (adv.) In a phonographic manner; by means of phonograph.
Phonographist (n.) Phonographer.
Phonography (n.) A description of the laws of the human voice, or sounds uttered by the organs of speech.
Phonography (n.) 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.
Note: 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: They also serve who only stand and wait. -- Milton.
Phonography (n.) The art of constructing, or using, the phonograph.
Phonolite (n.) (Min.) A compact, feldspathic, igneous rock containing nephelite, hauynite, etc. Thin slabs give a ringing sound when struck; -- called also clinkstone.
Phonologer (n.) A phonologist. Phonologic
Phonologic (a.) Alt. of Phonological.
Phonological (a.) Of or pertaining to phonology.
Phonologic (a.) Of or relating to phonology; "the phonological component of language" [syn: phonological, phonologic].
Phonologist (n.) One versed in phonology.
Phonologist (n.) A specialist in phonology.
Phonology (n.) 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.
Phonology (n.) The study of the sound system of a given language and the analysis and classification of its phonemes [syn: phonology, phonemics].
Phonometer (n.) (Physics) An instrument for measuring sounds, as to their intensity, or the frequency of the vibrations.
Phonomotor (n.) (Physics) An instrument in which motion is produced by the vibrations of a sounding body.
Phonorganon (n.) A speaking machine.
Phonoscope (n.) (Physics) An instrument for observing or exhibiting the motions or properties of sounding bodies; especially, an apparatus invented by Konig for testing the quality of musical strings.
Phonoscope (n.) (Physics) An instrument for producing luminous figures by the vibrations of sounding bodies.
Phonotype (n.) A type or character used in phonotypy. Phonotypic
Phonotypic (a.) Alt. of Phonotypical.
Phonotypical (a.) Of or pertaining to phonotypy; as, a phonotypic alphabet.
Phonotypist (n.) One versed in phonotypy.
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.
Phorminx (n.) A kind of lyre used by the Greeks. -- Mrs. Browning.
Phormium (n.) (Bot.) A genus of liliaceous plants, consisting of one species ({Phormium tenax). See Flax-plant.
Phorone (n.) (Chem.) A yellow crystalline substance, having a geraniumlike odor, regarded as a complex derivative of acetone, and obtained from certain camphor compounds.
Phoronis (n.) (Zool.) 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.
Phoronomia (n.) [NL.] See Phoronomics.
Phoronomics (n.) The science of motion; kinematics. [R.] -- Weisbach.
Phosgene (a.) (Old Chem.) Producing, or produced by, the action of light; -- used specifically to designate a gas also called carbonyl chloride. See phosgene, n., and Carbonyl.
Phosgene (n.) (Chem.) A reactive chemical substance ({COCl2), also called carbonyl choride, used in synthesis of numerous substances.
In the First World War it was also used as a poisonous gas in combat.
Compare: Carbonyl
Carbonyl (n.) (Chem.) The radical ({=CO), occuring, always combined, in many compounds, as the aldehydes, the ketones, urea, carbonyl chloride, etc.
Note: Though denoted by a formula identical with that of carbon monoxide, it is chemically distinct, as carbon seems to be divalent in carbon monoxide, but tetravalent in carbonyl compounds.
Carbonyl chloride (Chem.), A colorless gas, COCl2, of offensive odor, and easily condensable to liquid. It is formed from chlorine and carbon monoxide, under the influence of light, and hence has been called phosgene, or phosgene gas; -- called also carbon oxychloride. It is used in chemical synthesis, and was also used as a poison gas in World War I.
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.
Phospham (n.) (Chem.) An inert amorphous white powder, PN2H, obtained by passing ammonia over heated phosphorus. [Spelt also phosphame.] -- Phos"pham"ic, a.
Phosphate (n.) (Chem.) A salt of phosphoric acid or a compound containing the phosphate radical group -PO4; as, trisodium phosphate ({Na3PO4); triethyl phosphate ({(C2H5)3PO4}).
Phosphatic (a.) (Chem.) Pertaining to, or containing, phosphorus, phosphoric acid, or phosphates; as, phosphatic nodules.
Phosphatic diathesis (Med.), A habit of body which leads to the undue excretion of phosphates with the urine.
Phosphaturia (n.) (Med.) The excessive discharge of phosphates in the urine.
Phosphene (n.) (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. After-image.
Phosphide (n.) (Chem.) A binary compound of phosphorus.
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.
It is postulated as one possible cause of the rare lights seen in marshes -- see ignis fatuus.
Note: 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.
Phosphine (n.) (Dyeing) Chrysaniline, often in the form of a salt.
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.
Phosphite (n.) (Chem.) A salt of phosphorous acid.
Phosphonic (a.) (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, certain derivatives of phosphorous acid containing a hydrocarbon radical with the phosphorus directly bonded to a carbon, and analogous to the sulphonic acids; as, methanephosphonic acid, CH3.PO.(OH)2.
Phosphonium (n.) (Chem.) The hypothetical radical PH4, analogous to ammonium, and regarded as the nucleus of certain derivatives of phosphine.
Phosphor (n.) Phosphorus. [Obs.] -- Addison.
Phosphor (n.) The planet Venus, when appearing as the morning star; Lucifer. [Poetic and Rare] -- Pope. -- Tennyson.
Phosphor (n.) A phosphorescent substance. [archaic]
Phosphor (n.) A substance capable of exhibiting luminescence. This term is now most commonly used to refer to substances used in fluorescent lights, image intensifiers, or cathode-ray tubes (CRT's), which luminesce when excited by ultraviolet radiation or an electron beam. In color CRT's, three different phosphors, each giving different colors when excited, are used.
Phosphorated (imp. & p. p.) of Phosphorate.
Phosphorating (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Phosphorate.
Phosphorate (v. t.) (Chem.) To impregnate, or combine, with phosphorus or its compounds; as, phosphorated oil.
Phosphor-bronze (n.) (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.
Phosphoreous (a.) Phosphorescent. [Obs.]
Phosphoresced (imp. & p. p.) of Phosphoresce.
Phosphorescing (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Phosphoresce.
Phosphoresce (v. i.) To shine as phosphorus; to be phosphorescent; to emit a phosphoric light. Generally, to emit light at temperatures too low to excite incandescent radiation.
Phosphoresce (v. i.) To emit light after a source of illumination has been removed; to exhibit phosphorescence.
Phosphorescence (n.) The quality or state of being phosphorescent.
Phosphorescence (n.) The process of phosphorescing, especially that of emitting light after a source of excitation has been removed. This contrasts with the process of fluorescence, in which a substance emits light of a lower wavelength than the illuminating light, only while the illumination continues.
Phosphorescence (n.) Light emitted by the process of phosphorescence.
Phosphorescent (a.) Shining with a phosphoric light; luminous without sensible heat.
Phosphorescent (n.) A phosphorescent substance.
Phosphoric (a.) (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.
Phosphoric (a.) Phosphorescent. "A phosphoric sea." -- Byron.
Glacial phosphoric acid. (Chem.) Metaphosphoric acid in the form of glassy semitransparent masses or sticks.
Glacial phosphoric acid. (Chem.) Pure normal phosphoric acid.
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.
Soluble phosphoric acid, 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.
Reverted phosphoric acid (Agric. Chem.), Phosphoric acid changed from acid (soluble) salts back to neutral or basic (insoluble) salts.
Phosphorical (a.) (Old Chem.) Phosphoric.
Phosphorite (n.) (Min.) A massive variety of apatite.
Phosphoritic (a.) (Min.) Pertaining to phosphorite; resembling, or of the nature of, phosphorite.
Phosphorize (v. t.) To phosphorate.
Phosphorized (a.) Containing, or impregnated with, phosphorus.
Phosphorogenic (a.) Generating phosphorescence; as, phosphorogenic rays.
Phosphoroscope (n.) (Physics) An apparatus for observing the phosphorescence produced in different bodies by the action of light, and for measuring its duration.
Phosphorous (a.) (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.
Phosphori (n. pl. ) of Phosphorus.
Phosphorus (n.) The morning star; Phosphor.
Phosphorus (n.) (Chem.) A poisonous nonmetallic element of the nitrogen group, obtained as a white, or yellowish, translucent waxy substance, having a characteristic disagreeable smell. 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 compined, 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.
Phosphorus (n.) (Chem.) Hence, any substance which shines in the dark like phosphorus, as certain phosphorescent bodies.
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.
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.
Phosphorus disease (Med.), A disease common among workers in phosphorus, giving rise to necrosis of the jawbone, and other symptoms.
Red phosphorus, or 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.
Solar phosphori (Chem.), Phosphorescent substances which shine in the dark after exposure to the sunlight or other intense light.
Yellow phosphorus (Chem.), The waxy yellow allotropic form of elemental phosphorus. See also phosphorus [2].
Phosphoryl (n.) (Chem.) The radical PO, regarded as the typical nucleus of certain compounds.
Phosphuret (n.) (Chem.) A phosphide. [Obsoles.]
Phosphureted (a.) (Chem.) Impregnated, or combined, with phosphorus. [Obsoles.] [Written also phosphuretted.]
Phosphureted hydrogen. (Chem.) See Phosphine.
Photic (a.) Of or pertaining to light; specifically, relating to the production of light by the lower animals.
Photics (n.) (Physics) The science of light; -- a general term sometimes employed when optics is restricted to light as a producing vision. -- Knight.
Photos (n. pl. ) of Photo.
Photo (n.) A contraction of Photograph. [Colloq.]
Photo- () A combining form from Gr. fw^s, fwto`s, light; as, photography, phototype, photometer.
Photobiotic (a.) (Biol.) Requiring light to live; incapable of living without light; as, photobiotic plant cells.
Photochemical (a.) (Chem.) Of or pertaining to chemical changes produced by light; as, the photochemical changes of the visual purple of the retina.
Photochemistry (n.) (Chem.) The branch of chemistry which relates to the effect of light in producing chemical changes, as in photography. Photochromic
Photochromic (a.) Alt. of Photochromatic.
Photochromatic (a.) Of or pertaining to photochromy; produced by photochromy.
Photochromy (n.) The art or process of reproducing colors by photography.
Photodrome (n.) (Physics) An apparatus consisting of a large wheel with spokes, which when turning very rapidly is illuminated by momentary flashes of light passing through slits in a rotating disk. By properly timing the succession of flashes the wheel is made to appear to be motionless, or to rotate more or less slowly in either direction.
Photo-electric (a.) Acting by the operation of both light and electricity; -- said of apparatus for producing pictures by electric light. Photo-electric
Photo-electric, Photo-electrical (a.) Pertaining to, or capable of developing, photo-electricity.
Photo-electrotype (n.) (Print.) An electrotype plate formed in a mold made by photographing on prepared gelatine, etc.
Photo-engraving (n.) The process of obtaining an etched or engraved plate from the photographic image, to be used in printing; also, a picture produced by such a process.
Photo-engrave (v. t.) [imp. & p. p. Photo-engraved; p. pr. & vb. n. Photo-engraving.] To engrave by a photomechanical process; to make a photo-engraving of. -- Pho`to-en*grav"er, n.
Photo-epinasty (n.) (Bot.) A disproportionately rapid growth of the upper surface of dorsiventral organs, such as leaves, through the stimulus of exposure to light. -- Encyc. Brit.
Photogalvanography (n.) The art or process of making photo-electrotypes. -- Sir D. Brewster.