dysprosium

[ dis-proh-see-uh m, -shee- ]
/ dɪsˈproʊ si əm, -ʃi- /

noun Chemistry.

a rare-earth metallic element, highly reactive and paramagnetic, found in small amounts in various rare-earth minerals, as euxenite and monazite: used to absorb neutrons in nuclear reactors. Symbol: Dy; atomic weight: 162.50; atomic number: 66.

Origin of dysprosium

1885–90; < New Latin < Greek dysprós(itos) hard to get at ( dys- dys- + pros- to + itós, past participle of iénai to go) + -ium

Words nearby dysprosium

dysplasia epiphysialis punctata, dysplastic nevus syndrome, dyspnea, dyspnoea, dyspraxia, dysprosium, dysproteinemia, dysraphism, dysrhythmia, dyssebacia, dyssomnia

British Dictionary definitions for dysprosium

dysprosium
/ (dɪsˈprəʊsɪəm) /

noun

a soft silvery-white metallic element of the lanthanide series: used in laser materials and as a neutron absorber in nuclear control rods. Symbol: Dy; atomic no: 66; atomic wt: 162.50; valency: 3; relative density: 8.551; melting pt: 1412°C; boiling pt: 2567°C

Word Origin for dysprosium

C20: New Latin, from Greek dusprositos difficult to get near + -ium

Medical definitions for dysprosium

dysprosium
[ dĭs-prō′zē-əm, -zhē-əm ]

n. Symbol Dy

A soft, silvery rare-earth element used in nuclear research. Atomic number 66.

Scientific definitions for dysprosium

dysprosium
[ dĭs-prō′zē-əm ]

Dy

A soft, silvery metallic element of the lanthanide series. Because it has a high melting point and absorbs neutrons well, dysprosium is used to help control nuclear reactions. Atomic number 66; atomic weight 162.50; melting point 1,407°C; boiling point 2,600°C; specific gravity 8.536; valence 3. See Periodic Table.