a chemical element, one of the rare-earth elements, used as the red phosphor in color TVs: symbol, Eu; at. no., 63
Origin:
ModL: so named (1901) by E. A. Demarçay (1852-1904), Fr chemist < Europe + -ium
See europium in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun Symbol Eu
A silvery-white, soft, rare-earth element occurring in monazite and bastnaesite and used to dope lasers and to absorb neutrons in research. Atomic number 63; atomic weight 151.96; melting point 826°C; boiling point 1,439°C; specific gravity 5.259; valence 2, 3. See Table at element.