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samarium

(sə mer′ē əm, -mar′-)

noun

a chemical element, one of the rare-earth elements: symbol, Sm; at. no., 62

Origin: ModL: so named (1879) by Boisbaudran (see gallium) < Fr samarskite (see samarskite), in which it occurs + -ium

See samarium in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun Symbol Sm

A silvery or pale gray metallic rare-earth element found in monazite and bastnaesite and used as a dopant for laser materials, in infrared absorbing glass, and as a neutron absorber in certain nuclear reactors. Atomic number 62; atomic weight 150.36; melting point 1,072°C; boiling point 1,791°C; specific gravity (approximately) 7.50; valence 2, 3. See Table at element.

Origin:

Origin: samar(skite)

Origin: + -ium

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