indium

[ in-dee-uhm ]

nounChemistry.
  1. a rare metallic element, soft, white, malleable, and easily fusible, found combined in various ore minerals, especially sphalerite: so called from the two indigo-blue lines in its spectrum. Symbol: In; atomic weight: 114.82; atomic number: 49; specific gravity: 7.3 at 20°C.

Origin of indium

1
1860–65; <New Latin, equivalent to ind(icum) indigo + -ium-ium

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British Dictionary definitions for indium

indium

/ (ˈɪndɪəm) /


noun
  1. a rare soft silvery metallic element associated with zinc ores: used in alloys, electronics, and electroplating. Symbol: In; atomic no: 49; atomic wt: 114.82; valency: 1, 2, or 3; relative density: 7.31; melting pt: 156.63°C; boiling pt: 2073°C

Origin of indium

1
C19: New Latin, from indigo + -ium

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

Scientific definitions for indium

indium

[ ĭndē-əm ]


In
  1. A soft, malleable, silvery-white metallic element that occurs mainly in ores of zinc and lead. It is used in the manufacture of semiconductors, in bearings for aircraft engines, and as a plating over silver in mirrors. Atomic number 49; atomic weight 114.82; melting point 156.61°C; boiling point 2,080°C; specific gravity 7.31; valence 1, 2, 3. See Periodic Table.

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