niton

American  

[nahy-ton] / ˈnaɪ tɒn /

noun

1. (formerly) radon. Nt

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niton British  

/ ˈnaɪtɒn /

noun

1. a less common name for radon

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Etymology

Origin of niton

1910–15; < Latin nit ( ēre ) to shine + -on ¹

Example Sentences

This gas is known as the emanation or niton, "the shining one."

From Creative Chemistry Descriptive of Recent Achievements in the Chemical Industries by Slosson, Edwin E.

The radium emanation is a gas about 111 times heavier than hydrogen; to this gas Sir William Ramsay has given the name niton.

From The Story of Alchemy and the Beginnings of Chemistry by Muir, M. M. Pattison

I have seen so many new things here, I wonder if it may not be the element that precedes niton.

From The Black Star Passes by Campbell, John Wood

A pound of niton would give off energy at the rate of 23,000 horsepower; fine stuff to run a steamer, one would think, but we must remember that it does not last.

From Creative Chemistry Descriptive of Recent Achievements in the Chemical Industries by Slosson, Edwin E.

The calculated period of radium is 2,500 years, while that of polonium is only 202 days, and that of niton 5.6 days.

From Q. E. D., or New Light on the Doctrine of Creation by Price, George McCready