rare-earth element
[ rair-urth ]
/ ˈrɛərˈɜrθ /
noun Chemistry.
any of a group of closely related metallic elements, comprising the lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium, that are chemically similar by virtue of having the same number of valence electrons.
Also called
rare-earth metal.
Origin of rare-earth element
First recorded in 1955–60
Words nearby rare-earth element
rare,
rare bird, a,
rare book,
rare earth,
rare gas,
rare-earth element,
rarebit,
raree show,
rarefaction,
rarefied,
rarefy
Medical definitions for rare-earth element
rare-earth element
n.
lanthanide
Scientific definitions for rare-earth element
rare-earth element
[ râr′ûrth′ ]
See lanthanide.