pyrophoric

Adjective

py=ro=phor=ic

CIDE DICTIONARY

pyrophoric, a. [Pyro- + Gr. fe`rein to bear.].

Light-producing; of or pertaining to pyrophorus. [1913 Webster]

Pyrophoric iron (Chem.), finely reduced iron, which ignites spontaneously on contact with air.

pyrophoric, adj. (of a substance) liable to ignite spontaneously on exposure to air.

Etymology

mod.L pyrophorus f. Gk purophoros fire-bearing f. pur fire + phero bear