francium

[ fran-see-uh m ]
/ ˈfræn si əm /

noun Chemistry.

a radioactive element of the alkali metal group. Symbol: Fr; atomic number: 87.

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Origin of francium

1945–50; after France where first identified; see -ium

Words nearby francium

franciscan, franciscans, francisco, francisella, francisella tularensis, francium, francize, franck, franco, franco, francisco, franco-
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for francium

British Dictionary definitions for francium

francium
/ (ˈfrænsɪəm) /

noun

an unstable radioactive element of the alkali-metal group, occurring in minute amounts in uranium ores. Symbol: Fr; atomic no: 87; half-life of most stable isotope, 223 Fr: 22 minutes; valency: 1; melting pt: 27°C; boiling pt: 677°C

Word Origin for francium

C20: from New Latin, from France + -ium; so-called because first found in France
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

Medical definitions for francium

francium
[ frăn′sē-əm ]

n. Symbol Fr

An extremely unstable radioactive element of the alkali metals, having approximately 19 isotopes, the most stable of which is Fr 223 with a half-life of 21 minutes. Atomic number 87.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for francium

francium
[ frăn′sē-əm ]

Fr

An extremely unstable, radioactive element of the alkali group. It is the heaviest metal of the group. Francium occurs in nature, but less than 28.35 g (1 oz) is present in the Earth's crust at any time. It has approximately 19 isotopes, the most stable of which is Fr 223 with a half-life of 21 minutes. Atomic number 87; valence 1. See Periodic Table.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.