philosopher's wool

See also: philosophers' wool

English

WOTD – 31 July 2023

Etymology

Philosopher’s wool or zinc oxide in the form of a white flocculent powder.

From philosopher (“(obsolete) an alchemist”) +‎ -’s +‎ wool.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /fɪˌlɒsəfəz ˈwʊl/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /fəˌlɑs(ə)fəɹz ˈwʊl/

• Audio (General American):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ʊl
• Hyphenation: phil‧o‧soph‧er’s wool

Noun

philosopher's wool (uncountable)

1. (alchemy, archaic) Zinc oxide (chemical formula ZnO) as a white flocculent powder.

   Synonym: (obsolete) philosophical wool

Alternative forms

• philosophers' wool

Hypernyms

• zinc oxide

Translations

zinc oxide as a white flocculent powder

• Finnish: sinkkivalkoinen (fi)
• Macedonian: цинква́јс m (cinkvájs)

See also

• philosopher's game
• philosopher's lamp
• philosopher's stone

Further reading

• zinc oxide on Wikipedia.Wikipedia