fluorine

[floo r-een, -in, flawr-, flohr-] /ˈflʊər in, -ɪn, ˈflɔr-, ˈfloʊr-/

noun, Chemistry

the most reactive nonmetallic element, a pale-yellow, corrosive, toxic gas that occurs combined, especially in fluorite, cryolite, phosphate rock, and other minerals. Symbol: F; atomic weight: 18.9984; atomic number: 9.

Origin of fluorine

1805-15; fluor(ic) + -ine¹

Examples from the web for fluorine

Other patches of stone have been bleached white by chlorine and fluorine gases pouring from the vent.
Because of their fluorine content, they're persistent.
At high pH, the fluorine groups become charged and protect the membrane from chlorine and clogging.
Fluorosis is more common than arsenic poisoning because high-fluorine coal is combined with high-fluorine clay to make briquettes.
Many easily available elements such as sodium and fluorine are dangerous if touched, inhaled or allowed to combine with others.
The membrane under development uses fluorine materials that respond to pH levels in the water.
Don't even get me started on fluorine and sodium or any of the proteins.
fluorine is a naturally-occurring, pale yellow-green gas with a sharp odor.
Uranium hexafluoride is a chemical compound consisting of one atom of uranium combined with six atoms of fluorine.

British Dictionary definitions for fluorine

fluorine

/ˈflʊəriːn/

noun

a toxic pungent pale yellow gas of the halogen group that is the most electronegative and reactive of all the elements, occurring principally in fluorspar and cryolite: used in the production of uranium, fluorocarbons, and other chemicals. Symbol: F; atomic no: 9; atomic wt: 18.9984032; valency: 1; density: 1.696 kg/m³; relative density: 1.108; freezing pt: –219.62°C; boiling pt: –188.13°C

Word Origin and History for fluorine

non-metallic element, 1813, coined by English chemist Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829) from fluorspar ("calcium fluoride," modern fluorite), the late 18c. name of the mineral where it was first found; see fluor + chemical suffix -ine (2). Not isolated until 1886.

fluorine in Medicine

fluorine fluor·ine (flur'ēn', -ĭn, flôr'-)
n.
Symbol F
A highly corrosive poisonous gaseous halogen element, the most reactive of all the elements. Atomic number 9; atomic weight 18.9984; melting point -219.62°C; boiling point -188.14°C (at 1 atmosphere); specific gravity of liquid 1.108 (at boiling point); valence 1.

fluorine in Science

fluorine

(flr'ēn')
Symbol F
A pale-yellow, poisonous, gaseous element of the halogen group. It is highly corrosive and is used to separate certain isotopes of uranium and to make refrigerants and high-temperature plastics. It is also added in fluoride form to the water supply to prevent tooth decay. Atomic number 9; atomic weight 18.9984; melting point -223°C; boiling point -188.14°C; specific gravity of liquid 1.108 (at boiling point); valence 1. See Periodic Table.