sulfur

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sul·fur

also sul·phur (sŭl′fər)

1. Symbol S A pale yellow nonmetallic element occurring widely in nature in several free, allotropic and crystal forms and combined in numerous sulfates and sulfides. It is used in black gunpowder, rubber vulcanization, the manufacture of insecticides and pharmaceuticals, and in the preparation of sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and sulfuric acid. Atomic number 16; atomic weight 32.066; melting point 115.21°C; boiling point 444.61°C; specific gravity at 20°C (rhombic) 2.07, (monoclinic) 2.00; valence 2, 4, 6. See Periodic Table.

2. Any of various butterflies of the subfamily Coliadinae of the family Pieridae, having yellow or orange wings often marked with black.

tr.v. sul·fured, sul·fur·ing, sul·furs also sul·phured or sul·phur·ing or sul·phurs

To treat with sulfur or a compound of sulfur.

[Middle English, from Anglo-Norman sulfre, from Latin sulfur.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

sulfur

(ˈsʌlfə)

(Elements & Compounds) the US preferred spelling of sulphur

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

sul•fur

(ˈsʌl fər)

n.

1. Also, esp. Brit., sulphur. a nonmetallic element, ordinarily a flammable yellow solid, of widespread occurrence in combined form, as in sulfide and sulfate compounds and cellular protein: used esp. in making gunpowder and matches, in medicine, and in vulcanizing rubber.Symbol: S; at. wt.: 32.064; at. no.: 16; sp. gr.: 2.07 at 20° C.

2. sulphur (def. 2).

[1300–50; Middle English < Latin sulp(h)ur, sulfur brimstone, sulfur]

sul·fur

also sul·phur (sŭl′fər)

Symbol S A pale-yellow, brittle nonmetallic element that occurs widely in nature, especially in volcanic deposits, many common minerals, natural gas, and petroleum. It is used to make gunpowder and fertilizer, to vulcanize rubber, and to produce sulfuric acid. Atomic number 16. See Periodic Table.

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Noun	1.	sulfur - an abundant tasteless odorless multivalent nonmetallic element; best known in yellow crystals; occurs in many sulphide and sulphate minerals and even in native form (especially in volcanic regions) atomic number 16, sulphur, S chemical element, element - any of the more than 100 known substances (of which 92 occur naturally) that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter brimstone, native sulfur, native sulphur - an old name for sulfur sulfide, sulphide - a compound of sulphur and some other element that is more electropositive oil of vitriol, sulfuric acid, sulphuric acid, vitriol - (H2SO4) a highly corrosive acid made from sulfur dioxide; widely used in the chemical industry
Verb	1.	sulfur - treat with sulphur in order to preserve; "These dried fruits are sulphured" sulphur process, treat - subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition; "process cheese"; "process hair"; "treat the water so it can be drunk"; "treat the lawn with chemicals" ; "treat an oil spill"