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hafnium definition

haf·nium (haf′nē əm)

noun

a metallic chemical element found with, and similar to, zirconium: used in the manufacture of light-bulb filaments and in reactor control rods: symbol, Hf; at. no., 72

Etymology: ModL: so named (1923) by D. Coster (1889-1950), Du chemist, and G. C. de Hevesy (c. 1889-1966), Hung chemist, after Hafnia, Latinized name of Dan København, Copenhagen, where it was discovered + -ium

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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