Background for phlogiston
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phlogiston

/flə(ʊ)ˈdʒɪstɒn/

Meanings
noun
The hypothetical fiery principle formerly assumed to be a necessary constituent of combustible bodies and to be given up by them in burning.

Examples :

"Chemists once believed that wood released phlogiston into the air as it burned. "
theory chemistry substance physics science energy

Related Words

Illustration bodies

bodies noun

/ˈbɑdiz/ /ˈbɒdiz/

Physical frame.

"The doctor examined the bodies of the athletes to make sure they were healthy before the competition. "

Illustration believed

believed verb

/bɪˈliːvd/ /biˈliːvd/

To accept as true, particularly without absolute certainty (i.e., as opposed to knowing)

"I believe there are faeries."

Illustration formerly

formerly adverb

/ˈfɔːməli/ /ˈfɔɹmɚli/

At some time in the past

"My formerly quiet neighborhood is now very busy with new construction. "

Illustration assumed

assumed verb

/əˈsjuːmd/ /əˈsuːmd/

To authenticate by means of belief; to surmise; to suppose to be true, especially without proof

"We assume that, as her parents were dentists, she knows quite a bit about dentistry."

Illustration constituent

constituent noun

/kənˈstɪtʃuənt/ /kənˈstɪtʃuəntl̩/

A part, or component of a whole

"A key constituent of a good cake is flour. "

Illustration combustible

combustible noun

/kəmˈbʌstɪbəl/

A material that is capable of burning.

"Gasoline is a highly combustible, and therefore dangerous, substance. "

Illustration necessary

necessary noun

/ˈnɛsəsɹɪ/ /ˈnɛsəˌsɛɹi/

(usually with the definite article) A place to do the "necessary" business of urination and defecation: an outhouse or lavatory.

"The school's new addition includes a modern necessary. "

Illustration hypothetical

hypothetical noun

/ˌhaɪpəˈθɛtɪkl/

A hypothetical situation or proposition

"These hypotheticals serve no purpose until we have more information."

Illustration released

released verb

/ɹɪˈliːst/

To let go (of); to cease to hold or contain.

"He released his grasp on the lever."

Illustration principle

principle noun

/ˈpɹɪnsəpəl/

A fundamental assumption or guiding belief.

"We need some sort of principles to reason from."

Illustration chemists

chemists noun

/ˈkɛmɪsts/

A person who specializes in the science of chemistry, especially at a professional level.

"The chemists at the pharmaceutical company are working to develop a new medicine. "

Illustration burning

burning verb

/bɜːnɪŋ/ /bɝnɪŋ/

To cause to be consumed by fire.

"He burned his manuscript in the fireplace."