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indium

(in′dē əm)

noun

a rare metallic chemical element, soft, ductile, and silver-white, occurring in some zinc ores and used in producing bearings and various alloys that melt at relatively low temperatures: symbol, In; at. no., 49

Origin: ModL: so named (1863) by F. Reich (1799-1882) & H. T. Richter (1824-98), Ger metallurgists < L indicum, indigo + -ium, because of the two indigo lines in its spectrum

See indium in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun Symbol In

A soft, malleable, silvery-white metallic element found primarily in ores of zinc and tin, used as a plating over silver in making mirrors, in plating aircraft bearings, and in compounds for making transistors. Atomic number 49; atomic weight 114.82; melting point 156.61°C; boiling point 2,080°C; specific gravity 7.31; valence 1, 2, 3. See Table at element.

Origin:

Origin: ind(igo)

Origin: + -ium (so called from the indigo-blue lines in its spectrum)

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