scandium

[ skan-dee-uhm ]

/ ˈskæn di əm /

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noun Chemistry.

a rare, trivalent, metallic element obtained from thortveitite. Symbol: Sc; atomic weight: 44.956; atomic number: 21; specific gravity: 3.0.

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Origin of scandium

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

Words nearby scandium

Scandian, scandic, Scandinavia, Scandinavian, Scandinavian Shield, scandium, scandium oxide, scanner, scanning disk, scanning electron microscope, scanning force microscope

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

How to use scandium in a sentence

In 1875 Lecoq de Boisbandram discovered gallium, which filled one of the gaps; scandium and germanium filled the other two later.
Appletons' Popular Science Monthly, April 1900|Various
Its group members, scandium and yttrium, have the same form; we have not examined the fourth; the group is positive.
Occult Chemistry|Annie Besant and Charles W. Leadbeater
The A funnel of vanadium repeats the A funnel of scandium, with the addition of d 20, already studied.
Occult Chemistry|Annie Besant and Charles W. Leadbeater
Nitrogen has nothing new to show us, all its constituents having appeared in scandium and yttrium.
Occult Chemistry|Annie Besant and Charles W. Leadbeater

In yttrium, on the proto level, a 110 and b 63 both escape from the funnel, and behave as in scandium.
Occult Chemistry|Annie Besant and Charles W. Leadbeater

British Dictionary definitions for scandium

scandium

/ (ˈskændɪəm) /

noun

a rare light silvery-white metallic element occurring in minute quantities in numerous minerals. Symbol: Sc; atomic no: 21; atomic wt: 44.955910; valency: 3; relative density: 2.989; melting pt: 1541°C; boiling pt: 2836°C

Word Origin for scandium

C19: from New Latin, from Latin Scandia Scandinavia, where it was discovered

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 scandium

scandium

[ skăn′dē-əm ]

A soft, silvery, very lightweight metallic element that is found in various rare minerals and is a byproduct in the processing of certain uranium ores. It has a high melting point and is used to make high-intensity lights. Atomic number 21; atomic weight 44.956; melting point 1,540°C; boiling point 2,850°C; specific gravity 2.99; valence 3. See Periodic Table.