rare earth

noun

, Chemistry.

1. the oxide of any of the rare-earth elements contained in various minerals.

rare earth

noun

1. any oxide of a lanthanide
2. Also calledrare-earth element another name for lanthanide

Word History and Origins

Origin of rare earth¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

But Joanna Magnusson was one of the rare Earth women who had come out with her husband, twenty years ago.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1797 Ekeberg showed that gadolinite contained another rare earth, which was given the name yttria.

From Project Gutenberg

The rare earth metals are found in the minerals gadolinite, samarskite, fergusonite, euxenite and cerite.

From Project Gutenberg

The first of the rare earth minerals was discovered in 1794 by J. Gadolin and was named gadolinite from its discoverer.

From Project Gutenberg

These crude earths, yttria and ceria, have supplied most if not all of the “rare earth” metals.

From Project Gutenberg