English Explanatory Dictionary

selenium

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A nonmetallic chemical element (symbol Se) with an atomic number of 34, used mainly in glassmaking and pigments and as a semiconductor.
  2. A single atom of this element.

Pronunciation

sĭlēn′ēəm səlēn′ēəm /sɪˈliːni.əm/ /səˈliːni.əm/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-selenium.wav LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-selenium.wav

Word forms

selenium seleniums

Etymology

From French sélénium, the name coined by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1818 from Ancient Greek σελήνη (selḗnē, “moon”) in reference to original confusion with the similar element tellurium.

Derived words

diselenium hydroselenic acid metallic selenium nonselenium organoselenium radioselenium selane selen- selenate seleniate selenic acid selenide seleniferous selenio- seleno- selenious selenious acid selenite selenium cell selenium dioxide selenium eye selenium hexafluoride selenium hydride selenium oxide selenium sulfide selenium sulphide selenium yeast seleniuret seleniuretted selenol selenous selenyl selone
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