fluorine

[floo r-een, -in, flawr-, flohr-]

noun Chemistry.

the most reactive nonmetallic element, a pale-yellow, corrosive, toxic gas that occurs combined, especially in fluorite, cryolite, phosphate rock, and other minerals. Symbol: F; atomic weight: 18.9984; atomic number: 9.

Origin of fluorine

First recorded in 1805–15; fluor(ic) + -ine¹

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

Examples from the Web for fluorine

Historical Examples of fluorine

Oxygen will combine with iron or lead or sodium, but cannot be made to combine with fluorine.
The Machinery of the Universe
Amos Emerson Dolbear
Their pseudo-flesh is composed mainly of silicon and fluorine.
Masters of Space
Edward Elmer Smith
From this it will be understood that the fluorine will be evolved when the stone is fused.
The Chemistry, Properties and Tests of Precious Stones
John Mastin
Iodine, Fluorine, &c. had not been discovered at this period.
The Life of Sir Humphrey Davy, Bart. LL.D., Volume 1 (of 2)
John Ayrton Paris
It is ready to unite with every known substance, fluorine excepted.
Curiosities of Heat
Lyman B. Tefft

British Dictionary definitions for fluorine

fluorine

fluorin (ˈflʊərɪn)

noun

a toxic pungent pale yellow gas of the halogen group that is the most electronegative and reactive of all the elements, occurring principally in fluorspar and cryolite: used in the production of uranium, fluorocarbons, and other chemicals. Symbol: F; atomic no: 9; atomic wt: 18.9984032; valency: 1; density: 1.696 kg/m³; relative density: 1.108; freezing pt: –219.62°C; boiling pt: –188.13°C

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

Word Origin and History for fluorine

non-metallic element, 1813, coined by English chemist Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829) from fluorspar ("calcium fluoride," modern fluorite), the late 18c. name of the mineral where it was first found; see fluor + chemical suffix -ine (2). Not isolated until 1886.

fluorine in Medicine

fluorine

[flur′ēn′, -ĭn, flôr′-]

n. Symbol F

A highly corrosive, toxic, gaseous halogen element. It is a component of many drugs, and its radioisotope is used in functional brain imaging and bone scans. Atomic number 9.

fluorine in Science

fluorine

[flur′ēn′]

F

A pale-yellow, poisonous, gaseous element of the halogen group. It is highly corrosive and is used to separate certain isotopes of uranium and to make refrigerants and high-temperature plastics. It is also added in fluoride form to the water supply to prevent tooth decay. Atomic number 9; atomic weight 18.9984; melting point -223°C; boiling point -188.14°C; specific gravity of liquid 1.108 (at boiling point); valence 1. See Periodic Table.