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polonium

(pə lō′nē əm)

noun

a radioactive, nonmetallic chemical element formed naturally by the disintegration of radium or synthetically by the neutron irradiation of bismuth followed by beta decay: used as a power source in space satellites, as an aid in inducing electric discharges, etc.: symbol, Po; at. no., 84

Origin: ModL: so named (1898) by its co-discoverer Marie Curie, after her native land, Poland (ML Polonia) + -ium

See polonium in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun Symbol Po

A naturally radioactive metallic element, occurring in minute quantities as a product of radium disintegration and produced by bombarding bismuth or lead with neutrons. It has 27 isotopes ranging in mass number from 192 to 218, of which Po 210, with a half-life of 138.39 days, is the most readily available. Atomic number 84; melting point 254°C; boiling point 962°C; specific gravity 9.32; valence 2, 4. See Table at element.

Origin:

Origin: From Medieval Latin Polōnia, Poland (the native country of Pierre and Marie Curie, the element's discoverers)

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