[
jer-mey-nee-uhm] 
| a scarce, metallic, grayish-white element, normally tetravalent, used chiefly in transistors. Symbol: Ge; atomic weight: 72.59; atomic number: 32; specific gravity: 5.36 at 20°C. |
| ger·ma·ni·um (jər-mā'nē-əm) n. Symbol Ge A brittle, crystalline, gray-white metalloid element, widely used as a semiconductor, as an alloying agent and catalyst, and in certain optical glasses. Atomic number 32; atomic weight 72.59; melting point 937.4°C; boiling point 2,830°C; specific gravity 5.323 (at 25°C); valence 2, 4. See Table at element. [After Germania.] |
germanium ger·ma·ni·um (jər-mā'nē-əm)
n.
Symbol Ge
A brittle crystalline gray-white metalloid element, used as a semiconductor and in certain optical glasses. Atomic number 32; atomic weight 72.61; melting point 938.25°C; boiling point 2,830°C; specific gravity 5.323 (at 25°C); valence 2, 4.
| germanium (jər-mā'nē-əm) Pronunciation Key
Symbol Ge A brittle, crystalline, grayish-white metalloid element that is found in coal, in zinc ores, and in several minerals. It is used as a semiconductor and in wide-angle lenses. Atomic number 32; atomic weight 72.59; melting point 937.4°C; boiling point 2,830°C; specific gravity 5.323 (at 25°C); valence 2, 4. See Periodic Table. |