nonmetal

[non-met-l]

noun Chemistry.

an element not having the character of a metal, as carbon or nitrogen.

an element incapable of forming simple positive ions in solution.

Origin of nonmetal

First recorded in 1865–70; non- + metal

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British Dictionary definitions for nonmetal

nonmetal

noun

any of a number of chemical elements that form negative ions, have acidic oxides, and are generally poor conductors of heat and electricity

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