Phlogiston (noun)
flo-jis-ton
a nonexistent chemical that, prior to the discovery of oxygen, was thought to be released during combustion.
Phlogiston “a chemical once thought to be released during combustion” is the neuter form of Ancient Greek phlogistós “inflammable, burnt up,” from the verb phlogízein “to set on fire.” Relatives of phlogízein in English include phlegm (from phlégma “flame”) and phlox (from phlóx “a flame-colored plant”). All these words ultimately come from a Proto-Indo-European root roughly meaning “to burn, flash, shine”
Example sentences
“Phlogiston isn’t really a thing, just a lack of understanding in science.”
