platinum
[ plat-n-uh m, plat-nuh m ]
/ ˈplæt n əm, ˈplæt nəm /
noun
Chemistry.
a heavy, grayish-white, highly malleable and ductile metallic element, resistant to most chemicals, practically unoxidizable except in the presence of bases, and fusible only at extremely high temperatures: used for making chemical and scientific apparatus, as a catalyst in the oxidation of ammonia to nitric acid, and in jewelry. Symbol: Pt; atomic weight: 195.09; atomic number: 78; specific gravity: 21.5 at 20°C.
a light, metallic gray with very slight bluish tinge when compared with silver.
adjective
made of platinum.
(of an audio recording) having sold a minimum of one million copies.
Origin of platinum
1805–15; < New Latin, alteration of earlier
platina < Spanish; see
platina
Words nearby platinum
Example sentences from the Web for platinum
British Dictionary definitions for platinum
platinum
/ (ˈplætɪnəm) /
noun
a ductile malleable silvery-white metallic element, very resistant to heat and chemicals. It occurs free and in association with other platinum metals, esp in osmiridium: used in jewellery, laboratory apparatus, electrical contacts, dentistry, electroplating, and as a catalyst. Symbol: Pt; atomic no: 78; atomic wt: 195.08; valency: 1–4; relative density: 21.45; melting pt: 1769°C; boiling pt: 3827±100°C
- a medium to light grey colour
- (as adjective)a platinum carpet
Word Origin for platinum
C19: New Latin, from
platina, on the model of other metals with the suffix
-um
Medical definitions for platinum
platinum
[ plăt′n-əm ]
n. Symbol Pt
A ductile malleable metallic element usually occurring mixed with other metals such as iridium, osmium, or nickel and used as a catalyst and in dentistry. Atomic number 78.
Scientific definitions for platinum
platinum
[ plăt′n-əm ]
Pt
A soft, ductile, malleable, silver-white metallic element that usually occurs with osmium, iridium, palladium, or nickel. It has a high melting point and does not corrode in air. Platinum is used as a catalyst and in making jewelry, electrical contacts, and dental crowns. Atomic number 78; atomic weight 195.08; melting point 1,772°C; boiling point 3,827°C; specific gravity 21.45; valence 2, 3, 4. See Periodic Table.