selenium

[ si-lee-nee-uh m ]
/ sɪˈli ni əm /

noun Chemistry.

a nonmetallic element chemically resembling sulfur and tellurium, occurring in several allotropic forms, as crystalline and amorphous, and having an electrical resistance that varies under the influence of light. Symbol: Se; atomic weight: 78.96; atomic number: 34; specific gravity: (gray) 4.80 at 25°C, (red) 4.50 at 25°C.

Origin of selenium

< New Latin (1818) < Greek selḗn(ē) moon + New Latin -ium -ium; named in allusion to its similarity to tellurium

Words nearby selenium

selenide, seleniferous, selenious, selenious acid, selenite, selenium, selenium cell, selenium rectifier, seleno-, selenocentric, selenodesy

Example sentences from the Web for selenium

British Dictionary definitions for selenium

selenium
/ (sɪˈliːnɪəm) /

noun

a nonmetallic element that exists in several allotropic forms. It occurs free in volcanic areas and in sulphide ores, esp pyrite. The common form is a grey crystalline solid that is photoconductive, photovoltaic, and semiconducting: used in photocells, solar cells, and in xerography. Symbol: Se; atomic no: 34; atomic wt: 78.96; valency: –2, 4, or 6; relative density: 4.79 (grey); melting pt: 221°C (grey); boiling pt: 685°C (grey)

Word Origin for selenium

C19: from New Latin, from Greek selēnē moon; named by analogy to tellurium (from Latin tellus earth)

Medical definitions for selenium

selenium
[ sĭ-lē′nē-əm ]

n. Symbol Se

A nonmetallic essential trace element used in its disulfide form as an antiseborrheic and as a radioisotope to image the pancreas and parathyroid glands. Atomic number 34.

Scientific definitions for selenium

selenium
[ sĭ-lē′nē-əm ]

Se

A nonmetallic element that occurs in a gray crystalline form, as a red powder, or as a black glassy material. It is highly photosensitive and can be used to convert light into electricity. Its ability to conduct electricity also increases with higher exposure to light. For these reasons selenium is used in photocopying technology, photography, and solar cells. Atomic number 34; atomic weight 78.96; melting point 217°C; boiling point 684.9°C; specific gravity (gray) 4.79; (red) 4.5; (black) 4.28; valence 2, 4, or 6. See Periodic Table.