silicon

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A nonmetallic element (symbol Si) with an atomic number of 14 and atomic weight of 28.0855.
  2. A single atom of this element.
noun
  1. Computing.
  2. A computer processor.
  3. Abbreviation of silicon chip.

Pronunciation

sĭl'ĭkən /ˈsɪlɪkən/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-silicon.wav En-us-silicon.ogg sĭl'ĭkŏn′ /ˈsɪləkɒn/ /ˈsɪləˌkɑn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-silicon (alt).wav

Word forms

silicon silicons

Etymology

Coined by Scottish chemist Thomas Thomson as a modification of the earlier name silicium, from the stem of Latin silex (“flint, silica”) + -on from carbon.

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