Any substance capable of igniting spontaneously on contact with air or water; = pyrophorus. Now historical.
Origin
Late 18th century. From French pyrophore substance capable of igniting spontaneously on contact with air or water from post-classical Latin pyrophorus.
Definition of pyrophore in US English:
pyrophore
(also pyrophor)
nounˈpʌɪrəfɔː
rare
Any substance capable of igniting spontaneously on contact with air or water; = pyrophorus. Now historical.
Origin
Late 18th century. From French pyrophore substance capable of igniting spontaneously on contact with air or water from post-classical Latin pyrophorus.