californium

[kal-uh-fawr-nee-uh m]

noun Chemistry.

a transuranic element. Symbol: Cf; atomic number: 98.

Origin of californium

1945–50; named after the University of California where it was discovered; see -ium

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

British Dictionary definitions for californium

californium

noun

a metallic transuranic element artificially produced from curium. Symbol: Cf; atomic no: 98; half-life of most stable isotope, 251 Cf: 800 years (approx.)

Word Origin for californium

C20: New Latin; discovered at the University of California

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

californium in Medicine

californium

[kăl′ə-fôr′nē-əm]

n. Symbol Cf

A synthetic radioactive element produced in trace quantities by neutron bombardment of curium. Its most stable isotope, Cf 251, has a half-life of 790 years. Atomic number 98.

californium in Science

californium

[kăl′ə-fôr′nē-əm]

Cf

A synthetic, radioactive metallic element of the actinide series that is produced from curium or berkelium and is used in chemical analyses. Its most stable isotope, Cf 251, has a half-life of 800 years. Atomic number 98. See Periodic Table.