English word phosphinous comes from English -ous, English phosphine
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| -ous | English (eng) | (chemistry) Used in chemical nomenclature to name chemical compounds in which a specified chemical element has a lower oxidation number than in the equivalent compound whose name ends in the suffix -ic. For example sulphuric acid (H2SO4) has more oxygen atoms per molecule than sulphurous acid (H2SO3). See Inorganic nomenclature.. Used to form adjectives from nouns, to denote possession or [...] |
| phosphine | English (eng) | (dyeing) chrysaniline, often in the form of a salt. (inorganic compound, uncountable) a toxic gas; hydride of phosphorus, PH3. (organic chemistry, countable) any alkyl or aryl derivative of this compound, PR3 (where at least one R is not H). |
| phosphinous | English (eng) | Of or pertaining to phosphinous acid or its derivatives. |