phlogistic

English

Alternative forms

• phlogistick (obsolete)

Etymology

From Ancient Greek φλογιστός (phlogistós, “flammable”), from φλόξ (phlóx, “flame”); in chemistry sense reinforced by phlogist(on) +‎ -ic.

Adjective

phlogistic (comparative more phlogistic, superlative most phlogistic)

1. (medicine) Inflammatory; pertaining to inflammations and fevers. [from 18th c.]
2. (chemistry, physics, now historical) Pertaining to or containing phlogiston. [from 18th c.]
   • 2004, Robert E Schofield, The Enlightened Joseph Priestley, Pennsylvania State University, published 2004, page 100:

     His experiments, with their phlogistic explanations, led him to believe that the only distinct species of air were the fixed, alkaline, and acid.

3. (obsolete) Burning, fiery. [18th–19th c.]

Derived terms

(phlogiston):

• phlogisticate
• phlogisticated
• dephlogisticate
• dephlogisticated

Related terms

• phlogistics