Etymology

phosphoric

P3H4O1S1P3H4O1R1I1C3

Today it means: Pertaining to the element phosphorus; containing phosphorus, especially in its higher valency (5). Full definition →

First used 18th c.
Ask AI about its historyChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

The story

From phosphor + -ic.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 18th c. Pertaining to the element phosphorus; containing phosphorus, especially in its higher valency (5).
  • from 18th c. Pertaining to a phosphor; phosphorescent.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.