germanium

[jer-mey-nee-uhm]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a scarce, metallic, grayish-white element, normally tetravalent, used chiefly in transistors. Ge; 72.59; 32; 5.36 at 20°C.

germanium

/ dʒɜːˈmeɪnɪəm /

noun

1. a brittle crystalline grey element that is a semiconducting metalloid, occurring principally in zinc ores and argyrodite: used in transistors, as a catalyst, and to strengthen and harden alloys. Symbol: Ge; atomic no: 32; atomic wt: 72.61; valency: 2 or 4; relative density: 5.323; melting pt: 938.35°C; boiling pt: 2834°C

germanium

1. A brittle, crystalline, grayish-white metalloid element that is found in coal, in zinc ores, and in several minerals. It is used as a semiconductor and in wide-angle lenses. Atomic number 32; atomic weight 72.59; melting point 937.4°C; boiling point 2,830°C; specific gravity 5.323 (at 25°C); valence 2, 4.

2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of germanium¹

First recorded in 1885–90; German(y) + -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of germanium¹

C19: New Latin, named after _Germany

Example Sentences

The White House approves the Ambler Road Project to access Alaska’s mineral potential, including copper, cobalt, gallium, and germanium.

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This is something it has already done in the case of two materials called germanium and gallium, which are used by the military in thermal imaging and radar.

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To develop their defect-free fibres, the NTU-led team selected pairs of common semiconductor material and synthetic material -- a silicon semiconductor core with a silica glass tube and a germanium core with an aluminosilicate glass tube.

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In August, Beijing countered with its own trade curbs: It began requiring that Chinese exporters of gallium and germanium, metals used in computer chips and solar cells, obtain government licenses to send those metals overseas.

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If China persists with export restrictions, as it has with commodities like as germanium and graphite, supply could be further compromised.

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