[sil-i-kuh
n, -kon] 
| a nonmetallic element, having amorphous and crystalline forms, occurring in a combined state in minerals and rocks and constituting more than one fourth of the earth's crust: used in steelmaking, alloys, etc. Symbol: Si; atomic weight: 28.086; atomic number: 14; specific gravity: 2.4 at 20°C. |
| sil·i·con (sĭl'ĭ-kən, -kŏn') n. Symbol Si A nonmetallic element occurring extensively in the earth's crust in silica and silicates, having both an amorphous and a crystalline allotrope, and used doped or in combination with other materials in glass, semiconducting devices, concrete, brick, refractories, pottery, and silicones. Atomic number 14; atomic weight 28.086; melting point 1,410°C; boiling point 2,355°C; specific gravity 2.33; valence 4. See Table at element. [From silica.] |
A chemical element from which semiconductors are made. It is also used in the manufacture of glass, concrete, brick, and pottery.
silicon sil·i·con (sĭl'ĭ-kən, -kŏn')
n.
Symbol Si
A nonmetallic element occurring extensively in the earth's crust in silica and silicates, having both an amorphous and a crystalline allotrope and used in glass and semiconducting devices. Atomic number 14; atomic weight 28.086; melting point 1,414°C; boiling point 3,265°C; specific gravity 2.33; valence 4.
silicon
1.
2.
Contrast: software. See also sandbender.
[The Jargon File]
(1996-05-28)
