# phlogiston

> English word · Noun · IPA /flə(ʊ)ˈd͡ʒɪstɒn/

## Definitions
1. The hypothetical fiery principle formerly assumed to be a necessary constituent of combustible bodies and to be given up by them in burning.

## Etymology
From New Latin phlogiston, coined by Georg Ernst Stahl in 1702, from Ancient Greek φλογιστόν (phlogistón), neuter of φλογιστός (phlogistós, “burnt up, inflammable”), from φλογίζω (phlogízō, “to set fire to”), from φλόξ (phlóx, “flame”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/phlogiston