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Phosphorus

Phosphorus

1 9.9
An old name for the planet Venus when it appears in the eastern sky before sunrise
  • noun
  • /ˈfɑsfərəs/
  • Archaic
translation icon : Fósforo
  • Phosphorus was the Greek god named for the Morning Star (Venus) that came out of the darkness of the night.
  • Red Phosphorus
  • white phosphorus

Examples

  • The artist painted a breathtaking scene of the sky with Phosphorus glowing in the early light.

  • Lucifer was a Latin name that was the translation of the Greek name Phosphorus.

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  • On clear mornings, the Phosphorus can be seen shining brightly just before the sun rises.

  • In ancient texts, the planet Venus was often called Phosphorus when it appeared at dawn.

Synonyms

Venus
vsPhosphorus
58 3.6

The second planet from the Sun that shines brightly at dawn or dusk

refers only to the planet's morning view rather than its full identity
morning star
vsPhosphorus
4 5.7

A bright planet, usually Venus, seen in the east just before sunrise

is an archaic poetic word for that morning appearance
daystar
vsPhosphorus
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A bright planet, often Venus, seen in the east just before sunrise

is an archaic label for that bright morning appearance
Lucifer
vsPhosphorus
  • Archaic
8.4

The planet Venus when it shines in the sky before sunrise

is the older name used historically for that eastern morning sight

Surface Forms

Phosphorus singular
Phosphoruses plural

Etymology

Phosphorus comes from Greek parts phos 'light' and phoros 'bringer', and you can see the same phos in photo-, which means light. So, Phosphorus was the name for the morning star, Venus, because it 'brings' the first light before the sun rises.