Word Study
zirconium
CIDE DICTIONARY
zirconium, n. [NL.].
A rare element of the carbon-silicon group, intermediate between the metals and nonmetals, obtained from the mineral zircon as a dark sooty powder, or as a gray metallic crystalline substance. Symbol Zr. Atomic weight, 90.4. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
zirconium, n. Chem. a grey metallic element occurring naturally in zircon and used in various industrial applications.
Usage
Symb.: Zr.
Etymology
mod.L f. ZIRCON + -IUM
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