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antimony

(an′tə mō′nē)

noun

a silvery-white, brittle, nonmetallic chemical element of crystalline structure, found only in combination: used in alloys with metals to harden them and increase their resistance to chemical action; compounds of antimony are used in medicines, pigments, and matches, and for fireproofing: symbol, Sb; at. no., 51

Origin: ME antimonie < OFr antimoine < ML antimonium < ? Ar al ithmid, antimony < Gr stimi (> L stibium) < Coptic stēm < Egypt sdmt, orig. mixture used to protect the eyes from flies

See antimony in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun Symbol Sb

A metallic element having four allotropic forms, the most common of which is a hard, extremely brittle, lustrous, silver-white, crystalline material. It is used in a wide variety of alloys, especially with lead in battery plates, and in the manufacture of flame-proofing compounds, paint, semiconductor devices, and ceramic products. Atomic number 51; atomic weight 121.76; melting point 630.5°C; boiling point 1,380°C; specific gravity 6.691; valence 3, 5. See Table at element.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English antimonie

Origin: , from Medieval Latin antimōnium

Origin: , perhaps from Arabic al-’iīmid

Origin: : al-, the

Origin: + ’iīmid, antimony (perhaps from Greek stimmi)

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