beryllium

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the chemical element with symbol Be and atomic number 4, a hard, gray, low-density alkaline-earth metal valued for its stiffness and transparency to X-rays

   The experiment bombarded a beryllium target with alpha particles to produce neutrons.

Formed from beryl + -ium because the element was discovered in beryl and emerald, minerals that contain beryllium. Beryl ultimately comes through Latin and Greek beryllos. The competing historical names glucinium and glucinum referred to the sweet taste of some beryllium salts.

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