In 1511, leaders in Mecca believed coffee stimulated radical thinking and outlawed the drink. In 1524, the leaders overturned that order, and people could drink coffee again.
PHOSPHINE
phosphine
(noun) a colorless gas with a strong fishy smell; used as a pesticide
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
phosphine (countable and uncountable, plural phosphines)
(inorganic compound, uncountable) A toxic gas, chemical formula PH3.
Synonym: hydride of phosphorus
(organic chemistry, countable) Any alkyl or aryl derivative of this compound, PR3 (where at least one R is not H),
(dyeing) Chrysaniline, often in the form of a salt.
Usage notes
• Any specific substituted phosphine is named as a phosphane, e.g. methylphosphane.
Synonyms
• phosphane
• phosphorus hydride
• phosphureted hydrogen
Source: Wiktionary
Phos"phine, n. (Chem.)
Definition: A colorless gas, PH3, analogous to ammonia, and having a disagreeable odor resembling that of garlic. Called also hydrogen phosphide, and formerly, phosphureted hydrogen.
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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Word of the Day
11 January 2025
COWBERRY
(noun) low evergreen shrub of high north temperate regions of Europe and Asia and America bearing red edible berries
Coffee Trivia
