pyrophorus
/pʌɪˈrɒf(ə)rəs/noun
1 Chemistry. A substance capable (especially in a finely divided state) of igniting spontaneously on exposure to air. Now historical.
- The term originally denoted a specific pyrophoric substance (in full Homberg's pyrophorus), made by heating alum with lampblack, starch, sugar, or flour..
2 Entomology. In form Pyrophorus. A genus of strongly luminescent fireflies of the family Elateridae, found mainly in neotropical America.
Origin
Mid 18th century; earliest use found in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. From post-classical Latin pyrophorus or its etymon ancient Greek πυροϕόρος bearer of sacrificial fire from πυρο- + -ϕόρος.
- epicycle
- epicyclic
- epicycloid
- epicycloidal
- Epidaurus
- epideictic
- epidemic
- epidemically
- epidemiologic
- epidemiological
- epidemiologically
- epidemiologist
- epidemiology
- epidermal
- epidermal growth factor
- epidermic
- epidermis
- epidermoid
- epidermolysis
- epidermolysis bullosa
- epidiascope
- epididymal
- epididymis
- epidote
- epidotic