solidus

¹

[sol-i-duhs]

noun

plural

solidi 

1. a gold coin of ancient Rome, introduced by Constantine and continued in the Byzantine Empire; bezant.

2. (in medieval Europe) a money of account equal to 12 denarii.

3. virgule.

solidus

²

[sol-i-duhs]

noun

Physical Chemistry.

1. (on a graph of temperature versus composition) the curve connecting the temperatures at which a solid solution is in equilibrium with its vapor and with the liquid solution, and therefore connecting melting temperatures of solid solutions.

solidus

/ ˈsɒlɪdəs /

noun

1. a technical name for slash

2. a gold coin of the Byzantine empire

solidus

plural

solidi 

1. The maximum temperature at which all components of a mixture (such as an alloy) can be in a solid state. Above the solidus some or all of the mixture will be in a liquid state.

2. See illustration at eutectic Compare liquidus

Word History and Origins

Origin of solidus¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin solidus ( nummus ) a solid (coin), a gold (coin)

Origin of solidus²

1900–05; < Latin: solid

Word History and Origins

Origin of solidus¹

C14: from Late Latin solidus ( nummus ) a gold coin (from solidus solid); in Medieval Latin, solidus referred to a shilling and was indicated by a long s, which ultimately became the virgule