Definition of "phosphorous" [phos•phor•ous]

• Of, relating to, or containing phosphorus, especially with valence 3 or a valence lower than that of a comparable phosphoric compound. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "These new pigs have the ability to better break down "phytase" which is rich in phosphorous and is found in the intestinal tract."
• "For the most part, the press has bought into the line that white phosphorous is an incendiary munition, and is not properly classified as a chemical weapon."
• "Let the wingnuts quibble over the minutae of whether or not white phosphorous is a chemical weapon (clearly it is) …. lets keep our eyes on the bigger picture."