Word Study
yttrium
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun yttrium has 1 sense
- yttrium(n = noun.substance) atomic number 39, y - a silvery metallic element that is common in rare-earth minerals; used in magnesium and aluminum alloys; Array is a kind of metal, metallic element
CIDE DICTIONARY
yttrium, n. [NL., from Ytterby, in Sweden. See Erbium.].
A rare metallic element of the boron-aluminium group, found in gadolinite and other rare minerals, and extracted as a dark gray powder. Symbol Y . Atomic number 39. Atomic weight, 88.9. [1913 Webster]
" Associated with yttrium are certain rare elements, as erbium, ytterbium, samarium, etc., which are separated in a pure state with great difficulty. They are studied by means of their spark or phosphorescent spectra. Yttrium is now regarded as probably not a simple element, but as a mixture of several substances."
[1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
yttrium, n. Chem. a greyish metallic element resembling the lanthanides, occurring naturally in uranium ores and used in making superconductors.
Usage
Symb.: Y.
Etymology
formed as YTTERBIUM
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