argon

[ ahr-gon ]

nounChemistry.
  1. 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.

Origin of argon

1
1890–95; <Greek, neuter of argós inactive, not working, idle, contraction of aergós equivalent to a-a-6 + érg(on) work + -os adj. suffix

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British Dictionary definitions for argon

argon

/ (ˈɑːɡɒn) /


noun
  1. 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

Origin of argon

1
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

Scientific definitions for argon

argon

[ ärgŏn′ ]


Ar
  1. 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.

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