phosphorus
Cross references: 1. element phos.pho.rus \'fa:s-f(*-)r*s\ n [NL, fr. Gk pho-sphoros light-bearing - more at PHOSPHOR] often attrib 1: a phosphorescent substance or body; esp : one that shines or glo ws in the dark 2: a nonmetallic multivalent element of the nitrogen family that occurs wid ely esp. as phosphates