bismuth

(bizmət̸h)

noun

a hard, brittle, metallic chemical element that is grayish-white with a tinge of red, used chiefly in making alloys of low melting point and in medicine: symbol, Bi; at. no., 83

Origin: < ModL bisemutum < Ger wismut, earlier wesemut < ?

See bismuth in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun Symbol Bi
A white, crystalline, brittle, highly diamagnetic metallic element used in alloys to form sharp castings for objects sensitive to high temperatures and in various low-melting alloys for fire-safety devices. Atomic number 83; atomic weight 208.98; melting point 271.3°C; boiling point 1,560°C; specific gravity 9.747; valence 3, 5. See Table at element.

Origin:

Origin: Obsolete German Bismuth; see kweit- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • bisˈmuth·al adjective

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