py·ro·phor·ic (p  r -fôr  k, -f r-)adj. 1. Spontaneously igniting in air. 2. Producing sparks by friction. [From pyrophorus, substance that ignites spontaneously : from Greek purophoros, fire-bearing : puro-, pyro- + -phoros, -phorous.] |
pyrophoric [ˌpaɪrəʊˈfɒrɪk]
adj
1. (Chemistry) (of a chemical) igniting spontaneously on contact with air
2. (Physics / General Physics) (of an alloy) producing sparks when struck or scraped lighter flints are made of pyrophoric alloy
[from New Latin pyrophorus, from Greek purophoros fire-bearing, from pur fire + pherein to bear]
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