Phosphine

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  phosphine \phos"phine\ (f[o^]s"f[=e]n or f[o^]s"f[i^]n), n.
     (Chem.)
     A colorless gas, {PH3}, analogous to ammonia, and having a
     disagreeable odor resembling that of garlic. Called also
     {hydrogen phosphide}, and formerly, {phosphureted hydrogen}.
     It is postulated as one possible cause of the rare lights


     seen in marshes -- see {ignis fatuus}.
     [1913 Webster + PJC]
  
     Note: It is the most important compound of phosphorus and
           hydrogen, and is produced by the action of caustic
           potash on phosphorus. It is spontaneously inflammable,
           owing to impurities, and in burning produces peculiar
           vortical rings of smoke.
           [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Phosphine \Phos"phine\, n. (Dyeing)
     Chrysaniline, often in the form of a salt.
     [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  phosphine
       n : a colorless gas with a strong fishy smell; used as a
           pesticide