phlogistian

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word phlogistian. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word phlogistian, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say phlogistian in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word phlogistian you have here. The definition of the word phlogistian will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofphlogistian, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

From phlogist(on) +‎ -ian.

Noun

phlogistian (plural phlogistians)

  1. A believer in the existence of phlogiston.
    • 1810, George Wilson, “General Sketch of Cavendish's Scientific Researches and Discoveries”, in The Life of the Honble Henry Cavendish, page 39:
      It [air] was liable, according to the phlogistians, to vitiation, by the addition to it of phlogiston, []
    • 2007, Charles Mollan, “William Higgins (1763-1825)”, in It's Part of What We Are (Science and Irish Culture; 3), volume 1, Dublin: Royal Dublin Society, →ISBN, page 236:
      Bryan Higgins was a "phlogistian", while William, correctly as it turned out, didn't believe in the concept.

Adjective

phlogistian (not comparable)

  1. Of or pertaining to phlogiston or phlogiston theory.
    • 1894 July 13, “Notices of Books”, in William Crookes, editor, The Chemical News and Journal of Physical Science, volume 70, number 1807:
      In Davy's time it was still necessary in considering any novel fact to keep the phlogistian hypothesis in view, and to demonstrate its inability to explain the new discoveries.

Synonyms

Antonyms

References