phlogiston
The hypothetical fiery principle formerly assumed to be a necessary constituent of…The hypothetical fiery principle formerly assumed to be a necessary constituent of combustible bodies and to be given up by them in burning.
Meaning
1 senses(historical, uncountable, usually)The hypothetical fiery principle formerly assumed to be a necessary constituent of combustible bodies and to be given up by them in burning.
Phlogiston, Caloricum
флогисто́нflogistón
флогістонflohiston
a hypothetical substance once believed to be present in all combustible materials and to be released during burning
Translations
8 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From New Latin phlogiston, coined by Georg Ernst Stahl in 1702, from Ancient Greek φλογιστFrom New Latin phlogiston, coined by Georg Ernst Stahl in 1702, from Ancient Greek φλογιστόν (phlogistón), neuter of φλογιστός (phlogistós, “burnt up, inflammable”), from φλογίζω (phlogízō, “to set fire to”), from φλόξ (phlóx, “flame”).
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Forms
plural: phlogistons| Singular | phlogiston |
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uncountable
Word family
14 related wordsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable