scandium

[ skan-dee-uhm ]

nounChemistry.
  1. a rare, trivalent, metallic element obtained from thortveitite. Symbol: Sc; atomic weight: 44.956; atomic number: 21; specific gravity: 3.0.

Origin of scandium

1
From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at Scandia, -ium

Words Nearby scandium

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use scandium in a sentence

  • In 1875 Lecoq de Boisbandram discovered gallium, which filled one of the gaps; scandium and germanium filled the other two later.

  • Its group members, scandium and yttrium, have the same form; we have not examined the fourth; the group is positive.

    Occult Chemistry | Annie Besant and Charles W. Leadbeater
  • The A funnel of vanadium repeats the A funnel of scandium, with the addition of d 20, already studied.

    Occult Chemistry | Annie Besant and Charles W. Leadbeater
  • Nitrogen has nothing new to show us, all its constituents having appeared in scandium and yttrium.

    Occult Chemistry | Annie Besant and Charles W. Leadbeater
  • In yttrium, on the proto level, a 110 and b 63 both escape from the funnel, and behave as in scandium.

    Occult Chemistry | Annie Besant and Charles W. Leadbeater

British Dictionary definitions for scandium

scandium

/ (ˈskændɪəm) /


noun
  1. a rare light silvery-white metallic element occurring in minute quantities in numerous minerals. Symbol: Sc; atomic no: 21; atomic wt: 44.955910; valency: 3; relative density: 2.989; melting pt: 1541°C; boiling pt: 2836°C

Origin of scandium

1
C19: from New Latin, from Latin Scandia Scandinavia, where it was discovered

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for scandium

scandium

[ skăndē-əm ]


Sc
  1. A soft, silvery, very lightweight metallic element that is found in various rare minerals and is a byproduct in the processing of certain uranium ores. It has a high melting point and is used to make high-intensity lights. Atomic number 21; atomic weight 44.956; melting point 1,540°C; boiling point 2,850°C; specific gravity 2.99; valence 3. See Periodic Table.

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