manganese

[mang-guh-nees, -neez]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a hard, brittle, grayish-white, metallic element, an oxide of which, MnO 2 manganese dioxide, is a valuable oxidizing agent: used chiefly as an alloying agent in steel to give it toughness. Mn; 54.938; 25; 7.2 at 20°C.

manganese

/ ˈmæŋɡəˌniːz /

noun

1. a brittle greyish-white metallic element that exists in four allotropic forms, occurring principally in pyrolusite and rhodonite: used in making steel and ferromagnetic alloys. Symbol: Mn; atomic no: 25; atomic wt: 54.93805; valency: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, or 7; relative density: 7.21–7.44; melting pt: 1246±3°C; boiling pt: 2062°C

manganese

1. A grayish-white, hard, brittle metallic element that occurs in several different minerals and in nodules on the ocean floor. It is used to increase the hardness and strength of steel and other important alloys. Atomic number 25; atomic weight 54.9380; melting point 1,244°C; boiling point 1,962°C; specific gravity 7.21 to 7.44; valence 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7.

2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of manganese¹

1670–80; < French manganèse < Italian manganese, alteration of Medieval Latin magnesia magnesia

Word History and Origins

Origin of manganese¹

C17: via French from Italian manganese, probably altered form of Medieval Latin _magnesia

Example Sentences

Australia sits on deposits of lithium, cobalt and manganese as well as rare earth metals used in technologies from semiconductors to defence hardware, electric cars and wind turbines.

Read more on Barron's

The blaze emitted dangerous levels of nickel, cobalt and manganese that were measured within miles of the site.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This included cobalt, copper, lithium, manganese and tantalum - needed to make the electronic components used in computers, electric vehicles, mobile phones, wind turbines and military hardware.

Read more on BBC

Deep-sea Exploration was covered with these manganese nodules, the subject of the Deep Sea Ventures pilot test nearly five decades ago.

Read more on Salon

South Africa currently exports a variety of minerals to the US, including platinum, iron and manganese, as well as precious stones, metals and fruit.

Read more on BBC