rhenium

[ ree-nee-uhm ]

nounChemistry.
  1. a rare metallic element of the manganese subgroup: used, because of its high melting point, in platinum-rhenium thermocouples. Symbol: Re; atomic number: 75; atomic weight: 186.2.

Origin of rhenium

1
1920–25; <New Latin, equivalent to Latin Rhēn(us) Rhine + -ium-ium

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British Dictionary definitions for rhenium

rhenium

/ (ˈriːnɪəm) /


noun
  1. a dense silvery-white metallic element that has a high melting point. It occurs principally in gadolinite and molybdenite and is used, alloyed with tungsten or molybdenum, in high-temperature thermocouples. Symbol: Re; atomic no: 75; atomic wt: 186.207; valency: –1 or 1–7; relative density: 21.02; melting pt: 3186°C; boiling pt: 5596°C (est)

Origin of rhenium

1
C19: New Latin, from Rhēnus the Rhine

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Scientific definitions for rhenium

rhenium

[ nē-əm ]


Re
  1. A very rare, dense, silvery-white metallic element with a very high melting point. It is used to make catalysts and electrical contacts. Atomic number 75; atomic weight 186.2; melting point 3,180°C; boiling point 5,627°C; specific gravity 21.02; valence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. See Periodic Table.

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