DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Phos·phor·us n.; pl. Phosphori
 1. The morning star; Phosphor.
 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.  It is an essential component of the genetic material of all living organisms.  The molecule contains four atoms.  Symbol P. Atomic weight 31.0.
 3. 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 phosphorus2.
 ◄ ►

 So·lar, a.
 1. Of or pertaining to the sun; proceeding from the sun; as, the solar system; solar light; solar rays; solar influence. See Solar system, below.
 2. Astrol. Born under the predominant influence of the sun. [Obs.]
    And proud beside, as solar people are.   --Dryden.
 3. Measured by the progress or revolution of the sun in the ecliptic; as, the solar year.
 4. Produced by the action of the sun, or peculiarly affected by its influence.
    They denominate some herbs solar, and some lunar.   --Bacon.
 Solar cycle. See under Cycle.
 Solar day. See Day, 2.
 Solar engine, an engine in which the energy of solar heat is used to produce motion, as in evaporating water for a steam engine, or expanding air for an air engine.
 Solar flowers Bot., flowers which open and shut daily at certain hours.
 Solar lamp, an argand lamp.
 Solar microscope, a microscope consisting essentially, first, of a mirror for reflecting a beam of sunlight through the tube, which sometimes is fixed in a window shutter; secondly, of a condenser, or large lens, for converging the beam upon the object; and, thirdly, of a small lens, or magnifier, for throwing an enlarged image of the object at its focus upon a screen in a dark room or in a darkened box.
 Solar month. See under Month.
 Solar oil, a paraffin oil used an illuminant and lubricant.
 Solar phosphori Physics, certain substances, as the diamond, siulphide of barium (Bolognese or Bologna phosphorus), calcium sulphide, etc., which become phosphorescent, and shine in the dark, after exposure to sunlight or other intense light.
 Solar plexus Anat., a nervous plexus situated in the dorsal and anterior part of the abdomen, consisting of several sympathetic ganglia with connecting and radiating nerve fibers; -- so called in allusion to the radiating nerve fibers.
 Solar spots. See Sun spots, under Sun.
 Solar system Astron., the sun, with the group of celestial bodies which, held by its attraction, revolve round it. The system comprises the major planets, with their satellites; the minor planets, or asteroids, and the comets; also, the meteorids, the matter that furnishes the zodiacal light, and the rings of Saturn. The satellites that revolve about the major planets are twenty-two in number, of which the Earth has one (see Moon.), Mars two, Jupiter five, Saturn nine, Uranus four, and Neptune one. The asteroids, between Mars and Jupiter, thus far discovered (1900), number about five hundred, the first four of which were found near the beginning of the century, and are called Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta.
 -- Solar telegraph, telegraph for signaling by flashes of reflected sunlight.
 Solar time. See Apparent time, under Time.
 ◄ ►