Phlogiston

C2 16+

Pronunciation: /fləˈdʒɪstən/

Definitions of phlogiston

noun a substance once believed to exist in all combustible materials and to be released during combustion

Example Sentences

A1 Phlogiston is a substance once believed to be responsible for combustion.

A2 Scientists in the past thought that phlogiston was released during burning.

B1 The theory of phlogiston was eventually replaced by the modern understanding of combustion.

B2 Historically, phlogiston was thought to be a type of element that could explain combustion.

C1 The concept of phlogiston has been thoroughly debunked by advances in chemistry.

C2 Chemists of the 18th century believed that phlogiston was a crucial component in understanding combustion reactions.

Examples of phlogiston in a Sentence

formal The theory of phlogiston, an outdated concept in chemistry, posited that all combustible objects contained a substance called phlogiston.

informal Back in the day, scientists actually believed in this thing called phlogiston that they thought was responsible for combustion.

slang Phlogiston was like the OG fire juice according to old-school chemists.

figurative Her passion for the project burned like the phlogiston fueling an ancient alchemical experiment.

Grammatical Forms of phlogiston

plural

phlogistons

comparative

more phlogiston

superlative

most phlogiston

present tense

phlogiston

future tense

will phlogiston

perfect tense

has phlogistoned

continuous tense

is phlogistoning

singular

phlogiston

positive degree

phlogiston

infinitive

to phlogiston

gerund

phlogistoning

participle

phlogistoned

Origin and Evolution of phlogiston

First Known Use: 1600 year
Language of Origin: German
Story behind the word: The word 'phlogiston' was coined by German chemist Georg Ernst Stahl in the 17th century.
Evolution of the word: Originally believed to be a substance responsible for combustion, the concept of phlogiston was eventually replaced by the modern understanding of oxidation and combustion in chemistry.