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selenium Definition

se·leni·um (sə lē′nē əm)

noun

a nonmetallic chemical element with several allotropic forms, used in photoelectric devices because its electrical conductivity varies with the intensity of light: also used in rectifiers, in certain electrostatic copying processes, etc.: symbol, Se; at. no., 34

Etymology: ModL: so named (1818) by Baron Jöns Jakob Berzelius < Gr selēnē, the moon (see Selene) + -ium, by analogy with tellurium, with which it was assoc. in the ore

selenium Telecom Definition

A gray, non-metallic element, selenium is 34 on the periodic table of elements and has an atomic weight of 78.96. Selenium usually is obtained as a by-product of lead, copper, and nickel refining, and is used in photoelectric cells, TV cameras, light meters, copy machines, and anti-dandruff shampoos, as well as to color glass red and to give black and white silver prints greater image stability. Although toxic to humans in excess, selenium is considered to be an essential mineral in small amounts. See also photophone.

selenium Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • contain: However UK wheat still contains more selenium than European grown wheat.
  • include: Minerals important to the look and to the health of the skin include selenium, copper and zinc.
  • get: In other words, most UK citizens aren't getting nearly enough selenium in their diets.
  • take: In addition, subjects who took selenium cleared the virus from their bodies faster than the placebo subjects.

Preposition: in

soil: Providing there is selenium in the soil there will also be some in your asparagus.

Adjective modifier

  • organic: Manufacturers are expected to replace organic selenium with sodium selenite.
  • enough: In other words, most UK citizens aren't getting nearly enough selenium in their diets.
  • much: For the time being, you have the option to supplement with as much selenium as you please.

Modifies a noun

  • sulfide: Although topical agents are ineffective on their own, it has been found beneficial to use a selenium sulfide shampoo together with oral griseofulvin.
  • supplementation: Effects of selenium supplementation for cancer prevention in patients with carcinoma of the skin.
  • deficiency: Less than optimal intake of selenium may have adverse effects on psychological function, even in the absence of signs of frank selenium deficiency.
  • toxicity: Not a single case of selenium toxicity was reported in any of the patients studied.
  • intake: Concerns have been raised that selenium intakes in the UK are falling.
  • atom: To determine heavy atoms such as Selenium atoms in a protein the atomic resolution data is not needed.

Noun used with modifier

  • antioxidant: Mushrooms, one of my favorite foods, are a good source of the antioxidant selenium as well as potassium and B vitamins.
  • serum: Foster argues that the fall of selenium levels trigger the reduction in CD4 cells, which in turn cause further decline in serum selenium.
  • mineral: Brazil nuts These are rich in the mineral selenium, which has antioxidant effects that may help protect against cancer.
  • plasma: Plasma selenium level before diagnosis and the risk of prostate cancer development.
  • trace: Diets based mainly on silage could be deficient in vitamin E and the trace element selenium.
  • element: Diets based mainly on silage could be deficient in vitamin E and the trace element selenium.