phlogiston
/fləˈdʒɪst(ə)n
/ /fləˈɡɪst(ə)n/noun [mass noun]
A substance supposed by 18th-century chemists to exist in all combustible bodies, and to be released in combustion.In the phlogiston theory, phlogiston is released during combustion, and in the oxygen theory, oxygen is absorbed during combustion....
- According to the phlogiston theory, combustible materials contain a substance - phlogiston - that is emitted by the material as it burns.
- Biologists used to believe in the inheritance of acquired characteristics, chemists in phlogiston, physicists in absolute (pre-relativity) time.
Origin
Mid 18th century: modern Latin, from Greek phlogizein 'set on fire', from phlox, phlog- 'flame', from the base of phlegein 'to burn'.
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