germanium

[jer-mey-nee-uh m] /dʒərˈmeɪ ni əm/

noun, Chemistry

a scarce, metallic, grayish-white element, normally tetravalent, used chiefly in transistors. Symbol: Ge; atomic weight: 72.59; atomic number: 32; specific gravity: 5.36 at 20°C.

Origin

1885-90; German(y) + -ium

Examples from the web for germanium

But sensors made with germanium, another common semiconductor, can.
For example, pure germanium is an electrically inert substance.
It perfected methods of purifying germanium and silicon, and growing large crystals of these elements.
Because germanium is a heavier atom than silicon, its crystal-lattice structure is more widely spaced.
He also predicted with equal precision the existence of scandium and germanium, and these too were soon discovered.
They had previously modeled two similar semiconductor materials, silicon and germanium, and expected about the same results.
germanium is not thought to be essential to the health of plants or animals.

British Dictionary definitions for germanium

germanium

/dʒɜːˈmeɪnɪəm/

noun

a brittle crystalline grey element that is a semiconducting metalloid, occurring principally in zinc ores and argyrodite: used in transistors, as a catalyst, and to strengthen and harden alloys. Symbol: Ge; atomic no: 32; atomic wt: 72.61; valency: 2 or 4; relative density: 5.323; melting pt: 938.35°C; boiling pt: 2834°C

Word Origin

C19: New Latin, named after Germany

germanium in Medicine

germanium ger·ma·ni·um (jər-mā'nē-əm)
n.
Symbol Ge
A brittle crystalline gray-white metalloid element, used as a semiconductor and in certain optical glasses. Atomic number 32; atomic weight 72.61; melting point 938.25°C; boiling point 2,830°C; specific gravity 5.323 (at 25°C); valence 2, 4.

germanium in Science

germanium

(jər-mā'nē-əm)
Symbol Ge
A brittle, crystalline, grayish-white metalloid element that is found in coal, in zinc ores, and in several minerals. It is used as a semiconductor and in wide-angle lenses. Atomic number 32; atomic weight 72.59; melting point 937.4°C; boiling point 2,830°C; specific gravity 5.323 (at 25°C); valence 2, 4. See Periodic Table.