aluminum

aluminum
aluminum (n.) 1812, coined by English chemist Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829), from alumina, name given 18c. to aluminum oxide, from L. alumen "alum" (see ALUM (Cf. alum)). Davy originally called it alumium (1808), then amended this to aluminum, which remains the U.S. word, but British editors in 1812 further amended it to aluminium, the modern preferred British form, to better harmonize with other metallic element names (sodium, potassium, etc.).
Aluminium, for so we shall take the liberty of writing the word, in preference to aluminum, which has a less classical sound. ["Quarterly Review," 1812]

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • aluminum — [ə lo͞o′mə nəm] n. [ModL < L alumen: see ALUMINA] a silvery, lightweight, easily worked, metallic chemical element that resists corrosion and is found abundantly, but only in combination: symbol, Al; at. no., 13: see the periodic table of… …   English World dictionary

  • Aluminum — A*lu mi*num ([.a]*l[=u]*m[i^]*n[u^]m), n. The metallic element forming the base of alumina. This metal is white, but with a bluish tinge, and is remarkable for its resistance to oxidation, and for its lightness, having a specific gravity of about …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • aluminum — aluminic /al yeuh min ik/, adj. /euh looh meuh neuhm/, n. 1. Chem. a silver white metallic element, light in weight, ductile, malleable, and not readily corroded or tarnished, occurring combined in nature in igneous rock, shale, clay, and most… …   Universalium

  • aluminum — A pliable metal which resists corrosion. As a commercial article, aluminum made from an ore called bauxite is little more than seventy five years (in 1966) of age in the United States. There are also other ores in the United States from which… …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • aluminum — A white silvery metal of very light weight; atomic no. 13, atomic wt. 26.981539. Many salts and compounds are used in medicine and dentistry. [L. alumen, alum] a. acetate used as a disinfectant by embalmers; proposed as …   Medical dictionary

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  • aluminum — a|lu|mi|num [ ə lumınəm ] noun uncount * a light silver colored metal that is used, for example, to make cans, cooking equipment, and aircraft parts: an aluminum can …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • aluminum — a•lu•mi•num [[t]əˈlu mə nəm[/t]] n. 1) chem. a silver white metallic element, light in weight, ductile, malleable, and not readily corroded or tarnished: used in alloys and for lightweight products Abbr.: alum; Symbol:Al; at. wt.: 26.98; at. no …   From formal English to slang

  • aluminum, US — aliuminis statusas T sritis chemija apibrėžtis Cheminis elementas. simbolis( iai) Al atitikmenys: lot. aluminium angl. aluminium, GB; aluminum, US rus. алюминий …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

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