rare earth


noun Chemistry.

the oxide of any of the rare-earth elements contained in various minerals.

Origin of rare earth

First recorded in 1875–80

Example sentences from the Web for rare earth

  • It was an ingenious application of the peculiar properties of rare-earth oxides.

    Artificial Light |M. Luckiesh
  • In such cases, Investigations had stepped in and the Martian or Earthling troublemaker had been sent to the rare-earth mines.

    Blind Spot |Bascom Jones

British Dictionary definitions for rare earth

rare earth

noun

any oxide of a lanthanide
Also called: rare-earth element another name for lanthanide

Medical definitions for rare earth

rare earth

n.

lanthanide