Wordnet 3.0
NOUN (1)
1.
a colorless gas with a strong fishy smell;
used as a pesticide;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
phosphine \phos"phine\ (f[o^]s"f[=e]n or f[o^]s"f[i^]n), n.
(Chem.)
A colorless gas, PH3, analogous to ammonia, and having a
disagreeable odor resembling that of garlic. Called also
hydrogen phosphide, and formerly, phosphureted hydrogen.
It is postulated as one possible cause of the rare lights
seen in marshes -- see ignis fatuus.
[1913 Webster + PJC]
Note: It is the most important compound of phosphorus and
hydrogen, and is produced by the action of caustic
potash on phosphorus. It is spontaneously inflammable,
owing to impurities, and in burning produces peculiar
vortical rings of smoke.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Phosphine \Phos"phine\, n. (Dyeing)
Chrysaniline, often in the form of a salt.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
phosphine
n 1: a colorless gas with a strong fishy smell; used as a
pesticide