systematic element name

American  

[sis-tuh-mat-ik el-uh-muhnt naym] / ˈsɪs təˌmæt ɪk ˈɛl ə mənt ˌneɪm /

noun

Chemistry, Physics.

1. a temporary name assigned to a chemical element whose synthesis is not yet confirmed: formed essentially from the Latin and Greek for the digits of the element’s atomic number, as for element 107, named unnilseptium, from Latin ūn(us) “one” + nil “zero” + Latin sept(em) “seven” + -ium, before being officially named bohrium.

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Etymology

Origin of systematic element name

First recorded in 1975–80

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