white phosphorus
noun1
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences The most common allotrope of phosphorus; a yellow-white waxy solid that is insoluble in water and spontaneously combusts on exposure to air to form clouds of phosphorus pentoxide; used as a military smokescreen and as an incendiary weapon.
- The IDF spokesperson provided no comment on whether it had halted the practice, or the reported use of white phosphorus in Gaza, a densely populated area and home to more than 2 million people.2023 October 9, Ruth Michaelson, Ben Doherty, “Israel ‘going on the offensive’ after retaking territories overrun by Hamas”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
- Synonyms
- icy noctiluca, yellow phosphorus