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tungsten

(tuŋ′stən)

noun

a hard, heavy, gray-white, metallic chemical element, found in wolframite, scheelite, tungstite, etc., and used in steel for high-speed tools, in electric contact points and lamp filaments, etc.: symbol, W; at. no., 74

see the periodic table of elements in the Reference Supplement

Origin: Swed, lit., heavy stone, orig. name for scheelite, coined (1755) by A. F. Cronstedt (see nickel) < tung, heavy (< IE *tṇghu- < base *ten-, to pull > thin) + sten, akin to OE stan, stone; used (1783) for element isolated from scheelite by J. J. de Elhuyar (1754-96) & F. de Elhuyar (1755-1833), Sp chemists

Related Forms:

tungstenic adjective

See tungsten in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun Symbol W

A hard, brittle, corrosion-resistant, gray to white metallic element extracted from wolframite, scheelite, and other minerals, having the highest melting point and lowest vapor pressure of any metal. Tungsten and its alloys are used in high-temperature structural materials; in electrical elements, notably lamp filaments; and in instruments requiring thermally compatible glass-to-metal seals. Atomic number 74; atomic weight 183.84; melting point 3,410°C; boiling point 5,900°C; specific gravity 19.3 (20°C); valence 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Also called wolfram. See Table at element.

Origin:

Origin: Swedish

Origin: : tung, heavy (from Old Norse thungr)

Origin: + sten, stone (from Old Norse steinn; see stāi- in Indo-European roots)

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