barium

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: bar=i=um

CIDE DICTIONARY

barium, n. [NL., fr. Gr. bary`s heavy.].

 One of the elements, belonging to the alkaline earth group; a metal having a silver-white color, and melting at a very high temperature. It is difficult to obtain the pure metal, from the facility with which it becomes oxidized in the air. Atomic weight, 137. Symbol, Ba. Its oxide called baryta.  [1913 Webster]
" Some of the compounds of this element are remarkable for their high specific gravity, as the sulphate, called heavy spar, and the like. The oxide was called barote, by Guyton de Morveau, which name was changed by Lavoisier to baryta, whence the name of the metal."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

barium, n. Chem. a white reactive soft metallic element of the alkaline earth group.

Idiom

barium meal a mixture of barium sulphate and water, which is opaque to X-rays, and is given to patients requiring radiological examination of the stomach and intestines.

Usage

Symb.: Ba.

Etymology

BARYTA + -IUM