English Dictionary

SULPHUROUS

Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sulphurous mean? 

SULPHUROUS (adjective)
  The adjective SULPHUROUS has 3 senses:

1. of or related to or containing sulfur or derived from sulfurplay

2. harsh or corrosive in toneplay

3. characterized by oppressive heat and humidityplay

  Familiarity information: SULPHUROUS used as an adjective is uncommon.


 Dictionary entry details 


SULPHUROUS (adjective)


Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or related to or containing sulfur or derived from sulfur

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

sulfurous; sulphurous

Pertainym:

sulphur (an abundant tasteless odorless multivalent nonmetallic element; best known in yellow crystals; occurs in many sulphide and sulphate minerals and even in native form (especially in volcanic regions))

Derivation:

sulphur (an abundant tasteless odorless multivalent nonmetallic element; best known in yellow crystals; occurs in many sulphide and sulphate minerals and even in native form (especially in volcanic regions))


Sense 2

Meaning:

Harsh or corrosive in tone

Synonyms:

acerb; acerbic; acid; acrid; bitter; blistering; caustic; sulfurous; sulphurous; virulent; vitriolic

Context example:

a vitriolic critique

Similar:

unpleasant (offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness)


Sense 3

Meaning:

Characterized by oppressive heat and humidity

Synonyms:

stifling; sulfurous; sulphurous; sultry

Context example:

the sulfurous atmosphere preceding a thunderstorm

Similar:

hot (used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning)


 Context examples 


The air was oppressive; it seemed as if there was some sulphurous fume, which at times made me dizzy.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The eruption of the Eldgjá in the tenth century is known as a lava flood: a rare type of prolonged volcanic eruption in which huge flows of lava engulf the landscape, accompanied by a haze of sulphurous gases.

(Volcanic eruption influenced Iceland’s conversion to Christianity, University of Cambridge)



 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies." (English proverb)

"Boys will be boys and play boyish games." (Latin proverb)

"Speak of the dog and pick up the stick." (Armenian proverb)

"Comparing apples and pears." (Dutch proverb)



ALSO IN ENGLISH DICTIONARY:


© 2000-2023 AudioEnglish.org | AudioEnglish® is a Registered Trademark | Terms of use and privacy policy
Contact