Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HY-PO-PHOS'PHOR-OUS, a. [Gr. υπο and phosphorous.]

The hypophosphorous acid contains less oxygen than the phosphorous, and is obtained from the phosphuret of barytum. It is a liquid which may be concentrated by evaporation, till it becomes viscid. It has a very sour taste, reddens vegetable blues, and does not crystalize. Ure.