samarium

[ suh-mair-ee-uhm ]

/ səˈmɛər i əm /

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noun Chemistry.

a rare-earth metallic element discovered in samarskite. Symbol: Sm; atomic weight: 150.35; atomic number: 62; specific gravity: 7.49.

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Origin of samarium

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at samarskite, -ium

Words nearby samarium

Samarang, Samaria, samariform, Samarinda, Samaritan, samarium, Samarkand, Samarra, samarskite, Sama-Veda, samba

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use samarium in a sentence

Certain absorption bands at the blue end of the spectrum are supposed to be due to rare elements such as samarium.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 4|Various

British Dictionary definitions for samarium

samarium

/ (səˈmɛərɪəm) /

noun

a silvery metallic element of the lanthanide series occurring chiefly in monazite and bastnaesite and used in carbon-arc lighting, as a doping agent in laser crystals, and as a neutron-absorber. Symbol: Sm; atomic no: 62; atomic wt: 150.36; valency: 2 or 3; relative density: 7.520; melting pt: 1074°C; boiling pt: 1794°C

Word Origin for samarium

C19: New Latin, from samarskite + -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 samarium

samarium

[ sə-mâr′ē-əm ]

A silvery-white metallic element of the lanthanide series that exists in several forms and has seven naturally occurring isotopes. It is used to make glass that absorbs infrared light and to absorb neutrons in the fuel rods of nuclear reactors. Atomic number 62; atomic weight 150.36; melting point 1,072°C; boiling point 1,791°C; specific gravity approximately 7.50; valence 2, 3. See Periodic Table.