antimony Hear it!

antimony definition

an·ti·mony (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

Etymology: 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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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