Word Study
Tellurium
CIDE DICTIONARY
Tellurium, n. [NL., from L. tellus, -uris, the earth.].
A rare nonmetallic element, analogous to sulphur and selenium, occasionally found native as a substance of a silver-white metallic luster, but usually combined with metals, as with gold and silver in the mineral sylvanite, with mercury in Coloradoite, etc. Symbol Te. Atomic weight 125.2. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
Tellurium, n. Chem. a rare brittle lustrous silver-white element occurring naturally in ores of gold and silver, used in semiconductors.
Usage
Symb.: Te.
Derivative
telluride n. tellurite n. tellurous adj.
Etymology
L tellus -uris earth, prob. named in contrast to uranium
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