tantalum
[ tan-tl-uh m ]
/ ˈtæn tl əm /
noun Chemistry.
a gray, hard, rare, metallic element occurring in columbite and tantalite and usually associated with niobium: used, because of its resistance to corrosion by most acids, for chemical, dental, and surgical instruments and apparatus. Symbol: Ta; atomic weight: 180.948; atomic number: 73; specific gravity: 16.6.
Origin of tantalum
1795–1805; < New Latin; named after
Tantalus
Words nearby tantalum
tantalic acid,
tantalite,
tantalize,
tantalizing,
tantalous,
tantalum,
tantalus,
tantalus monkey,
tantamount,
tantara,
tantivy
Example sentences from the Web for tantalum
British Dictionary definitions for tantalum
tantalum
/ (ˈtæntələm) /
noun
a hard greyish-white metallic element that occurs with niobium in tantalite and columbite: used in electrical capacitors in most circuit boards and in alloys to increase hardness and chemical resistance, esp in surgical instruments. Symbol: Ta; atomic no: 73; atomic wt: 180.9479; valency: 2, 3, 4, or 5; relative density: 16.654; melting pt: 3020°C; boiling pt: 5458±100°C
Word Origin for tantalum
C19: named after
Tantalus, with reference to the metal's incapacity to absorb acids
Medical definitions for tantalum
tantalum
[ tăn′tə-ləm ]
n. Symbol Ta
A hard heavy metallic element that is exceptionally resistant to chemical attack below 150°C and is used to make electronic components and surgical instruments. Atomic number 73.
Scientific definitions for tantalum
tantalum
[ tăn′tə-ləm ]
Ta
A hard, heavy, gray metallic element that is highly resistant to corrosion at low temperatures. It is used to make light-bulb filaments, surgical instruments, and glass for camera lenses. Atomic number 73; atomic weight 180.948; melting point 3,017°C; boiling point 5,458°C; specific gravity 16.6; valence 2, 3, 4, 5. See Periodic Table.