antiphlogistian

noun, adj — 2 senses

antiphlogistian

noun

Etymology From anti- + phlogistian.

1

Someone who opposes phlogiston theory.

Antiphlogistians might argue that when a metallic calx was revived in inflammable air, air joined dephlogisticated air in the calx, the metal resuming its form and qualities without addition.2004, Robert E Schofield, The Enlightened Joseph Priestley, Pennsylvania State University, published 2004, page 182:

antiphlogistian

adj

Etymology From anti- + phlogistian.

1

Opposed to phlogiston theory.

The other objections which Mr. Kirwan makes againſt the antiphlogiſtian doctrine, and which he deduces from the precipitation of the metals by each other, are not more difficult to be explained upon the principles I have laid down; […]1789, Richard Kirwan, Antoine Lavoisier, “Note of Mr. Lavoisier, upon the Precipitation of the Metals by each other”, in An Essay on Phlogiston and the Constitution of Acids, Second English edition, page 257:

Synonyms: antiphlogistic
Antonyms: phlogistian, phlogistic

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.