yttrium Hear it!

yttrium definition

yt·trium (itrē əm)

noun

a rare, trivalent, silvery, metallic chemical element found in combination in gadolinite, monazite sand, samarskite, etc.: used in color TV tubes, alloys, etc.: symbol, Y; at. no., 39

Etymology: ModL < yttria + -ium: name proposed (1822) before isolation of the element by Mosander (see erbium) in 1843

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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