germanium

[ jer-mey-nee-uh m ]
/ dʒərˈmeɪ ni əm /

noun Chemistry.

a scarce, metallic, grayish-white element, normally tetravalent, used chiefly in transistors. Symbol: Ge; atomic weight: 72.59; atomic number: 32; specific gravity: 5.36 at 20°C.

Origin of germanium

First recorded in 1885–90; German(y) + -ium

Example sentences from the Web for germanium

British Dictionary definitions for germanium

germanium
/ (dʒɜːˈmeɪnɪəm) /

noun

a brittle crystalline grey element that is a semiconducting metalloid, occurring principally in zinc ores and argyrodite: used in transistors, as a catalyst, and to strengthen and harden alloys. Symbol: Ge; atomic no: 32; atomic wt: 72.61; valency: 2 or 4; relative density: 5.323; melting pt: 938.35°C; boiling pt: 2834°C

Word Origin for germanium

C19: New Latin, named after Germany

Medical definitions for germanium

germanium
[ jər-mānē-əm ]

n. Symbol Ge

A brittle crystalline gray-white metalloid element, used in certain optical glasses and dental alloys and as an intestinal astringent in veterinary medicine. Atomic number 32.

Scientific definitions for germanium

germanium
[ jər-mānē-əm ]

Ge

A brittle, crystalline, grayish-white metalloid element that is found in coal, in zinc ores, and in several minerals. It is used as a semiconductor and in wide-angle lenses. Atomic number 32; atomic weight 72.59; melting point 937.4°C; boiling point 2,830°C; specific gravity 5.323 (at 25°C); valence 2, 4. See Periodic Table.