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sulfur - 8 dictionary results
sul⋅fur
[suhl-fer]
–noun
| 1. | Also, especially British, sulphur. Chemistry. a nonmetallic element that exists in several forms, the ordinary one being a yellow rhombic crystalline solid, and that burns with a blue flame and a suffocating odor: used esp. in making gunpowder and matches, in medicine, in vulcanizing rubber, etc. Symbol: S; atomic weight: 32.064; atomic number: 16; specific gravity: 2.07 at 20° C. |
| 2. | sulphur (def. 2). |
Origin:
1300–50; ME sulphur < L sulpur, sulphur, sulfur brimstone, sulfur
1300–50; ME sulphur < L sulpur, sulphur, sulfur brimstone, sulfur

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To sulfur
sul·fur also sul·phur (sŭl'fər) n. Symbol S A pale yellow nonmetallic element occurring widely in nature in several free and combined allotropic forms. It is used in black gunpowder, rubber vulcanization, the manufacture of insecticides and pharmaceuticals, and in the preparation of sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and sulfuric acid. Atomic number 16; atomic weight 32.066; melting point (rhombic) 112.8°C, (monoclinic) 119.0°C; boiling point 444.6°C; specific gravity (rhombic) 2.07, (monoclinic) 1.957; valence 2, 4, 6. See Table at element. tr.v. sul·fured also sul·phured, sul·fur·ing also sul·phur·ing, sul·furs also sul·phurs To treat with sulfur or a compound of sulfur. [Middle English, from Anglo-Norman sulfre, from Latin sulfur.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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sulfur
c.1300, from O.Fr. soufre (13c.), from L.L. sulfur, from L. sulphur, probably from a root meaning "to burn." Ousted native brimstone and cognate O.E. swefl.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Language Translation for : sulfur
Spanish:
azufre,
German:
der Schwefel,
Japanese:
いおう
Main Entry: 1sul·fur
Variant: or chiefly British sul·phur /'s&l-f&r/
Function: noun
: a nonmetallicelement that occurs either free or combined especially in sulfides and sulfates, is a constituent of proteins, exists in several allotropic forms including yellow orthorhombic crystals, resemblesoxygen chemically but is less active and more acidic, and is used especially in the chemical and paper industries, in rubber vulcanization, and in medicine for treating skin diseases —symbolS; —see ELEMENT table
Main Entry: 2sulfur
Variant: or chiefly British sulphur
Function: adjective
: of, relating to, or resembling sulfur : containingor impregnated with sulfur
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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sulfur sul·fur or sul·phur (sŭl'fər)
n.
Symbol S
A yellow nonmetallic element occurring widely in nature in several free and combined allotropic forms and used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and many sulfur compounds, especially sulfuric acid. Atomic number 16; atomic weight 32.066; melting point (rhombic) 112.8°C; (monoclinic) 119.0°C; boiling point 444.6°C; specific gravity (rhombic) 2.07; (monoclinic) 1.957; valence 2, 4, 6.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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| sulfur also sulphur (sŭl'fər) Pronunciation Key
Symbol S A pale-yellow, brittle nonmetallic element that occurs widely in nature, especially in volcanic deposits, minerals, natural gas, and petroleum. It is used to make gunpowder and fertilizer, to vulcanize rubber, and to produce sulfuric acid. Atomic number 16; atomic weight 32.066; melting point (rhombic) 112.8°C; (monoclinic) 119.0°C; boiling point 444.6°C; specific gravity (rhombic) 2.07; (monoclinic) 1.957; valence 2, 4, 6. See Periodic Table. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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