bismuth
[ biz-muhth ]
/ ˈbɪz məθ /
noun Chemistry.
a brittle, grayish-white, red-tinged, metallic element used in the manufacture of fusible alloys and in medicine. Symbol: Bi; atomic weight: 208.980; atomic number: 83.
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Origin of bismuth
1660–70; earlier bismutum<New Latin bisemūtum, Latinized form of German Wissmuth (now Wismut) < ?
OTHER WORDS FROM bismuth
bis·muth·al, adjectiveWords nearby bismuth
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for bismuth
bismuth
/ (ˈbɪzməθ) /
noun
a brittle pinkish-white crystalline metallic element having low thermal and electrical conductivity, which expands on cooling. It is widely used in alloys, esp low-melting alloys in fire safety devices; its compounds are used in medicines. Symbol: Bi; atomic no: 83; atomic wt: 208.98037; valency: 3 or 5; relative density: 9.747; melting pt: 271.4°C; boiling pt: 1564±5°C
Derived forms of bismuth
bismuthal (ˈbɪzməθəl), adjectiveWord Origin for bismuth
C17: from New Latin bisemūtum, from German Wismut, of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medical definitions for bismuth
bismuth
[ bĭz′məth ]
n. Symbol Bi
A metallic element used in various low-melting alloys and having many medical applications, including as an x-ray contrast medium and in compounds that are used as astringents, antiseptics, treatments of gastrointestinal disturbances, and suppressants of lupus erythematosus. Atomic number 83.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for bismuth
bismuth
[ bĭz′məth ]
Bi
A brittle, pinkish-white, crystalline metallic element that occurs in nature as a free metal and in various ores. Bismuth is the most strongly diamagnetic element and has the highest atomic number of all stable elements. It is used to make low-melting alloys for fire-safety devices. Atomic number 83; atomic weight 208.98; melting point 271.3°C; boiling point 1,560°C; specific gravity 9.747; valence 3, 5. See Periodic Table.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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