Icy noctiluca

From Fresh Dictionary

English

Etymology

Named for white phosphorus being white and semi-transparent like ice.

Noun

icy noctiluca

  1. (obsolete{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}) An early name for white phosphorus.
    1681: New Experiments and Observations made upon the Icy Noctiluca — title of booklet by Robert Boyle (quoted in John Emsley, The Shocking History of Phosphorus, 2000, ISBN 0-330-39005-8)
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