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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

PYROPHORUS

n.[Gr. , fire; bearing. ] A substance which takes fire on exposure to air, or which maintains or retains light.

 

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

PYROPHORUS

Py *roph "o *rus, n. Etym: [NL. See Pyrophorous. ] (Old Chem. )

 

Defn: Any one of several substances or mixtures which phosphoresce or ignite spontaneously on exposure to air, as a heated mixture of alum, potash, and charcoal, or a mixture of charcoal and finely divided lead.