icy noctiluca

English - English

Definition of icy noctiluca in English English dictionary

An early name for white phosphorus

1681: New Experiments and Observations made upon the Icy Noctiluca — title of booklet by Robert Boyle (quoted in John Emsley, The Shocking History of Phosphorus, 2000, ISBN 0-330-39005-8).

Hyphenation

i·cy noc·ti·lu·ca

Etymology

() Named for white phosphorus being white and semi-transparent like ice.