samarium
[ suh-mair-ee-uh m ]
/ səˈmɛər i əm /
noun Chemistry.
a rare-earth metallic element discovered in samarskite. Symbol: Sm; atomic weight: 150.35; atomic number: 62; specific gravity: 7.49.
Origin of samarium
From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at
samarskite,
-ium
Words nearby samarium
samarang,
samaria,
samariform,
samarinda,
samaritan,
samarium,
samarkand,
samarra,
samarskite,
samaʿ,
samba
Example sentences from the Web for samarium
Certain absorption bands at the blue end of the spectrum are supposed to be due to rare elements such as samarium.
British Dictionary definitions for samarium
samarium
/ (səˈmɛərɪəm) /
noun
a silvery metallic element of the lanthanide series occurring chiefly in monazite and bastnaesite and used in carbon-arc lighting, as a doping agent in laser crystals, and as a neutron-absorber. Symbol: Sm; atomic no: 62; atomic wt: 150.36; valency: 2 or 3; relative density: 7.520; melting pt: 1074°C; boiling pt: 1794°C
Word Origin for samarium
C19: New Latin, from
samarskite +
-ium
Medical definitions for samarium
samarium
[ sə-mâr′ē-əm, -măr′- ]
n. Symbol Sm
A metallic rare-earth element used in alloys, in infrared absorbing glass, and as a neutron absorber in certain nuclear reactors. Atomic number 62.
Scientific definitions for samarium
samarium
[ sə-mâr′ē-əm ]
Sm
A silvery-white metallic element of the lanthanide series that exists in several forms and has seven naturally occurring isotopes. It is used to make glass that absorbs infrared light and to absorb neutrons in the fuel rods of nuclear reactors. Atomic number 62; atomic weight 150.36; melting point 1,072°C; boiling point 1,791°C; specific gravity approximately 7.50; valence 2, 3. See Periodic Table.