deuterium

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An isotope of hydrogen with one proton and one neutron in each atom - 21H.

   Heavy water is "heavy" because it contains deuterium.

2. 2
   noun

   An atom of this isotope.

   There were about 80 deuteriums for every million protiums, and virtually no tritium.

3. 3
   noun

   an isotope of hydrogen which has one neutron (as opposed to zero neutrons in hydrogen)

From deutero- + -ium. Coined by American physical chemist Harold Urey, from Ancient Greek δεύτερος (deúteros, “second”).

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