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iridium definition

iridi·um (-ē əm)

noun

a white, extremely dense, brittle, corrosion-resistant chemical element, one of the platinum metals: alloys of iridium are used in electrodes, pen points, crucibles, etc.: symbol, Ir; at. no., 77

Etymology: ModL: so named (1804) by S. Tennant (1761-1815), Eng chemist < Gr iris (gen. iridos), iris, because its salts have varied colors; + -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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