rhenium

[ ree-nee-uhm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

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

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)

rhenium

/ rē′nē-əm /

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.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhenium¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhenium¹

C19: New Latin, from Rhēnus the Rhine

Example Sentences

In 2007, scientists examining sulfur, molybdenum, and rhenium announced that they’d found evidence of oxygen in this sample—from well before the GOE.

From Popular-Science