Lexic.us

Definition of Pyrophorus

1. Noun. Tropical click beetles.

Definition of Pyrophorus

1. n. Any one of several substances or mixtures which phosphoresce or ignite spontaneously on exposure to air, as a heated mixture of alum, potash, and charcoal, or a mixture of charcoal and finely divided lead.

Definition of Pyrophorus

1. Noun. a substance capable of taking fire spontaneously on exposure to the air, especially in a finely divided state ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pyrophorus

Literary usage of Pyrophorus

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Researches, Chemical and Philosophical, Chiefly Concerning Nitrous Oxide, Or by Humphry Davy (1800)
"I have often inflamed pyrophorus in nitrous oxide over mercury, ... The light produced by the ignition of pyrophorus in nitrous oxide is white, ..."

2. The Collected Works of Sir Humphry Davy by Humphry Davy, John Davy (1839)
"Combustion of Pyrophorus in Nitrous Oxide. Pyrophorus, which inflames in nitrous gas, ... I have often inflamed pyrophorus in nitrous oxide over mercury, ..."

3. The Nature of Animal Light by Edmund Newton Harvey (1920)
"Dubois did not study the chemical properties of luciferin and luciferase from Pyrophorus, the first form with which he worked, except to point out that ..."

4. The Nature of Animal Light by Edmund Newton Harvey (1920)
"Dubois did not study the chemical properties of luciferin and luciferase from Pyrophorus, the first form with which he worked, except to point out that ..."

5. Recreations in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy by Jacques Ozanam, Jean Etienne Montucla (1814)
"first extracted this pyrophorus. The common process for this purpose is simple, and is as follows: Mix in an iron pan, placed over the fire, by means of an ..."

6. Recreations in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy by Jacques Ozanam, Jean Etienne Montucla (1814)
"first extracted this pyrophorus. The common process for this1 purpose is simple, and is as follows: Mix in an iron pan, placed over the fire, by means of an ..."

7. Recreations in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy by Jacques Ozanam, Jean Etienne Montucla (1803)
"Such is the origin of his pyrophorus. It has however been since found, that it is not necessary to employ matters so filthy, as those from which Homberg ..."

8. The Annals of Philosophy by Richard Phillips, Edward William Brayley (1815)
"On Pyrophorus, and the making of Potassium. By Dr. Hamel. IN the appendix to vol. iv. of ... I shall hereafter denominate this the alkaline pyrophorus. ..."

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