curium

[ kyoor-ee-uhm ]

noun

1. a radioactive element not found in nature but discovered in 1944 among the products of plutonium after bombardment by high-energy helium ions. : Cm; : 96.

curium

/ ˈkjʊərɪəm /

noun

1. a silvery-white metallic transuranic element artificially produced from plutonium. Symbol: Cm; atomic no: 96; half-life of most stable isotope, ²⁴⁷Cm: 1.6 x 10 ⁷years; valency: 3 and 4; relative density: 13.51 (calculated); melting pt: 1345±400°C

curium

/ kyr′ē-əm /

1. A synthetic, silvery-white, radioactive metallic element of the actinide series that is produced artificially from plutonium or americium. Curium isotopes are used to provide electricity for satellites and space probes. Its most stable isotope has a half-life of 16.4 million years. Atomic number 96; melting point (estimated) 1,350°C; valence 3.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of curium¹

1946; < New Latin; named after M. and P. Curie; -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of curium¹

C20: New Latin, named after Pierre and Marie Curie

Example Sentences

Cum autem bellum renovaturus putaretur, Manium Curium iterum consulem fieri placuit.

From Project Gutenberg

The natives of Curium made it a rule to destroy all such, under an appearance of a religious rite.

From Project Gutenberg

"Conduct them here, Matten," he commanded, and took up his station beside an hundred-branched candlestick made in Curium.

From Project Gutenberg

In fig. 180 the statue of this goddess is shown, which he says was found by himself in 1884 at Curium.

From Project Gutenberg

The most splendid of all the Cyprian vases was found at Curium, and has been already represented in this volume.

From Project Gutenberg