sulfur

Meaning

Noun

1. (uncountable, usually) A chemical element (symbol S) with an atomic number of 16, having a bright yellow color and characteristic smell, used commercially in a variety of products such as insecticides, black powder, and matchsticks.
2. (countable, uncountable, usually) A yellowish green colour, like that of sulfur.
3. (uncountable, usually) Any of various pierid butterflies of the subfamily Coliadinae, especially the sulfur-coloured species.

Adj

1. Of a yellowish green colour, like that of sulfur.
2. Having a characteristic sulfur-like smell, reminiscent of rotten eggs.

Verb

To treat with sulfur, or a sulfur compound, especially to preserve or to counter agricultural pests.

Synonyms

sulphur

brimstone

sulphur

S

atomic number 16

match

asunder

s

sulphate

native sulphur

pyrite

busted

dead

💀

grindstone

kaput

Translations

soufre

Schwefel

azufre

zolfo

zwavel

enxofre

θείο

كبريت

kükürt

sofre

sulphur

sulfur

Sulfur

solforare

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsʌl.fə/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: sulphur

Cognate with Old English: swefl

In summary

From Middle English sulphur, borrowed from Anglo-Norman sulfre, from Latin sulfur, from sulpur itself of uncertain origin. Displaced Old English swefl and largely displaced brimstone.