| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
boron bo·ron (bôr'ŏn')
n.
Symbol B
A soft, amorphous or crystalline nonmetallic element, used in flares and nuclear reactor control rods. Atomic number 5; atomic weight 10.811; melting point 2,075°C; sublimation point 2,550°C; specific gravity (crystal) 2.34; valence 3.
| boron (bôr'ŏn') Pronunciation Key
Symbol B A shiny, brittle, black metalloid element extracted chiefly from borax. It is a good electrical conductor at high temperatures and a poor conductor at low temperatures. Boron is necessary for the growth of land plants and is used in the preparation of soaps, abrasives, and hard alloys. It is also used in the control rods of nuclear reactors as a neutron absorber. Atomic number 5; atomic weight 10.811; melting point 2,300°C; sublimation point 2,550°C; specific gravity (crystal) 2.34; valence 3. See Periodic Table. |