argon

[ ahr-gon ]

/ ˈɑr gɒn /

noun Chemistry.

a colorless, odorless, chemically inactive, monatomic, gaseous element that, because of its inertness, is used for filling fluorescent and incandescent lamps and vacuum tubes. Symbol: Ar; atomic number: 18; atomic weight: 39.948.

Nearby words

Origin of argon

1890–95; < Greek, neuter of argós inactive, not working, idle, contraction of aergós equivalent to a- a-⁶ + érg(on) work + -os adj. suffix

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for argon

Nor does it appear that any well-defined compound of argon has yet been prepared.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 5|Various
These gases agree with argon in respect of the ratio of the specific heats and in being non-oxidizable under the electric spark.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 5|Various
Some may already know that there is at least a third thing, argon.
The Voice of Science in Nineteenth-Century Literature|Various
He kept his eye on that something left, and presently discovered a new gas which we now know as argon.
Astronomical Discovery|Herbert Hall Turner

The atmosphere of the earth is composed mainly of very volatile elements, known as nitrogen and argon.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler

British Dictionary definitions for argon

argon

/ (ˈɑːɡɒn) /

noun

an extremely unreactive colourless odourless element of the rare gas series that forms almost 1 per cent (by volume) of the atmosphere. It is used in electric lights. Symbol: Ar; atomic no: 18; atomic wt: 39.948; density: 1.7837 kg/m³; freezing pt: –189.3°C; boiling pt: –185.9°C

Word Origin for argon

C19: from Greek, from argos idle, inactive, from a- 1 + ergon work

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

Word Origin and History for argon

argon

chemical element, 1894, Modern Latin, from Greek argon, neuter of argos "lazy, idle, not working the ground, living without labor," from a- "without" (see a- (3)) + ergon "work" (see urge (v.)). So called by its discoverers, Baron Rayleigh and Sir William Ramsay, for its inert qualities.

Medicine definitions for argon

argon

[ är′gŏn′ ]

n. Symbol Ar

A colorless, inert gaseous element constituting approximately one percent of the earth's atmosphere, used in electric bulbs and fluorescent tubes and in lasers used for opthalmic procedures. Atomic number 18.

Science definitions for argon

argon

[ är′gŏn′ ]

Ar

A colorless, odorless element in the noble gas group. Argon makes up about one percent of the atmosphere. It is used in electric light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, and radio vacuum tubes. Atomic number 18; atomic weight 39.948; melting point -189.2°C; boiling point -185.7°C. See Periodic Table.