chalcogen

[ kal-kuh-juhn, -jen ]

noun

1. Chemistry. any of the elements oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, and polonium, which form the VIa group in the periodic table.

chalcogen

/ ˈkælkəˌdʒɛn /

noun

1. any of the elements oxygen, sulphur, selenium, tellurium, or polonium, of group 6A of the periodic table

Word History and Origins

Origin of chalcogen¹

First recorded in 1960–65; chalco- ( def ) + -gen

Word History and Origins

Origin of chalcogen¹

C20: from chalco ( pyrite ) + -gen