[kav-uh
n-dish] 
| 1. | Henry, 1731–1810, English chemist and physicist. |
| 2. | William, 4th Duke of Devonshire, 1720–64, British statesman: prime minister 1756–57. |
| Cavendish (kāv'ən-dĭsh) Pronunciation Key
British chemist and physicist who in 1766 discovered hydrogen, which he called "inflammable air." He also demonstrated that it is the lightest of all the gases and established that water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen. In 1798, Cavendish estimated with great accuracy the mean density of the Earth. |