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indium definition

in·dium (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

Etymology: 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

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