different between flammable vs pyrophoric

English

Etymology

Back-formation from inflammable, which is used to avoid confusion with non-flammable, as the prefix in- is often used to mean "un-; non-", although it was originally meant in a sense closely related to en-.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?flæm?b?l/

Adjective

flammable (comparative more flammable, superlative most flammable)

1. Capable of burning, especially a liquid.
2. Easily set on fire.
3. Subject to easy ignition and rapid flaming combustion.

Synonyms

• inflammable (in the original sense)

Antonyms

• inflammable (in the newer sense)
• non-flammable, nonflammable
• noninflammable

Translations

Noun

flammable (plural flammables)

1. Any flammable substance.

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ????????? (purophóros, “fire-bearing”) +? -ic. Analyzable as pyro- +? -phore +? -ic

Pronunciation

py*ro*phor*ic

Adjective

pyrophoric

1. spontaneously igniting in air, especially when in a finely divided state
2. producing sparks, especially by friction
3. (fire investigation) Able to oxidize with exposure to atmospheric oxygen at normal temperatures.

Related terms

• pyro-
• spontaneous combustion
• fire
• pyrolysis
• pyrophoric alloy

Translations

References

DeHaan, J. D. (2002). Kirk's fire investigation (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. (3)