polonium

[ puh-loh-nee-uh m ]
/ pəˈloʊ ni əm /

noun Chemistry.

a radioactive element discovered by Pierre and Marie Curie in 1898; Symbol: Po; atomic number: 84; atomic weight: about 210.

Origin of polonium

1895–1900; < New Latin, equivalent to polon- (< Medieval Latin Polonia Poland) + -ium -ium

Example sentences from the Web for polonium

British Dictionary definitions for polonium

polonium
/ (pəˈləʊnɪəm) /

noun

a very rare radioactive element that occurs in trace amounts in uranium ores. The isotope polonium-210 is produced artificially and is used as a lightweight power source in satellites and to eliminate static electricity in certain industries. Symbol: Po; atomic no: 84; half-life of most stable isotope, 209 Po: 103 years; valency: –2, 0, 2, 4, or 6; relative density (alpha modification): 9.32; melting pt: 254°C; boiling pt: 962°C

Word Origin for polonium

C19: New Latin, from Medieval Latin Polōnia Poland; named in honour of the Polish nationality of its discoverer, Marie Curie

Medical definitions for polonium

polonium
[ pə-lōnē-əm ]

n. Symbol Po

A naturally radioactive metallic element, occurring in minute quantities in uranium ores; its most readily available isotope is Po 210, with a half-life of 138.39 days. Atomic number 84.

Scientific definitions for polonium

polonium
[ pə-lōnē-əm ]

Po

A very rare, naturally radioactive, silvery-gray or black metalloid element. It is produced in extremely small amounts by the radioactive decay of radium or the bombardment of bismuth or lead with neutrons. Atomic number 84; melting point 254°C; boiling point 962°C; specific gravity 9.20; valence 2, 4. See Periodic Table.