selenium

[ si-lee-nee-uhm ]

nounChemistry.
  1. a nonmetallic element chemically resembling sulfur and tellurium, occurring in several allotropic forms, as crystalline and amorphous, and having an electrical resistance that varies under the influence of light. Symbol: Se; atomic weight: 78.96; atomic number: 34; specific gravity: (gray) 4.80 at 25°C, (red) 4.50 at 25°C.

Origin of selenium

1
<New Latin (1818) <Greek selḗn(ē) moon + New Latin -ium-ium; named in allusion to its similarity to tellurium

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

British Dictionary definitions for selenium

selenium

/ (sɪˈliːnɪəm) /


noun
  1. a nonmetallic element that exists in several allotropic forms. It occurs free in volcanic areas and in sulphide ores, esp pyrite. The common form is a grey crystalline solid that is photoconductive, photovoltaic, and semiconducting: used in photocells, solar cells, and in xerography. Symbol: Se; atomic no: 34; atomic wt: 78.96; valency: –2, 4, or 6; relative density: 4.79 (grey); melting pt: 221°C (grey); boiling pt: 685°C (grey)

Origin of selenium

1
C19: from New Latin, from Greek selēnē moon; named by analogy to tellurium (from Latin tellus earth)

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 selenium

selenium

[ sĭ-lēnē-əm ]


Se
  1. A nonmetallic element that occurs in a gray crystalline form, as a red powder, or as a black glassy material. It is highly photosensitive and can be used to convert light into electricity. Its ability to conduct electricity also increases with higher exposure to light. For these reasons selenium is used in photocopying technology, photography, and solar cells. Atomic number 34; atomic weight 78.96; melting point 217°C; boiling point 684.9°C; specific gravity (gray) 4.79; (red) 4.5; (black) 4.28; valence 2, 4, or 6. See Periodic Table.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.