yttrium

[ih-tree-uh m]

noun Chemistry.

a rare trivalent metallic element, found in gadolinite and other minerals. Symbol: Y; atomic weight: 88.905; atomic number: 39; specific gravity: 4.47.

Nearby words

Compare rare-earth element.

Origin of yttrium

1815–25; < New Latin, named after Ytterby. See ytterbia, -ium

Related formsyt·tric, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for yttrium

Erbium, a rare metal found along with yttrium, terbium, and other rare elements in some rare minerals.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia|Various
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
A rare metal found by Prof. Mosander, associated with erbium and yttrium in ordinary yttria.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley

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

British Dictionary definitions for yttrium

yttrium

noun

a silvery metallic element occurring in monazite and gadolinite and used in various alloys, in lasers, and as a catalyst. Symbol: Y; atomic no: 39; atomic wt: 88.90585; valency: 3; relative density: 4.469; melting pt: 1522°C; boiling pt: 3338°C

Derived Formsyttric, adjective

Word Origin for yttrium

C19: New Latin; see ytterbia

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

Word Origin and History for yttrium

yttrium

metallic rare-earth element, 1866, coined in Modern Latin by Swedish chemist Carl Gustaf Mosander (1797-1858) from Ytterby, name of a town in Sweden where mineral containing it was found.

Medicine definitions for yttrium

yttrium

[ĭt′rē-əm]

n. Symbol Y

A silvery, ductile, rare-earth element used in various alloys. Atomic number 39.

Science definitions for yttrium

yttrium

[ĭt′rē-əm]

Y

A silvery metallic element found in the same ores as elements of the lanthanide series. Yttrium is used to strengthen magnesium and aluminum alloys, to provide the red color in color televisions, and as a component of various optical and electronic devices. Atomic number 39; atomic weight 88.906; melting point 1,522°C; boiling point 3,338°C; specific gravity 4.45 (25°C); valence 3. See Periodic Table.