yttrium

[ih-tree-uh m] /ˈɪ tri əm/
noun, Chemistry
1.
a rare trivalent metallic element, found in gadolinite and other minerals. Symbol: Y; atomic weight: 88.905; atomic number: 39; specific gravity: 4.47.
Compare rare-earth element.
Origin
1815-25; < Neo-Latin, named after Ytterby. See ytterbia, -ium
Related forms
yttric, adjective
Examples from the web for yttrium
  • His other trick is to boost the output power of the lasing material, neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet.
British Dictionary definitions for yttrium

yttrium

/ˈɪtrɪəm/
noun
1.
a silvery metallic element occurring in monazite and gadolinite and used in various alloys, in lasers, and as a catalyst. Symbol: Y; atomic no: 39; atomic wt: 88.90585; valency: 3; relative density: 4.469; melting pt: 1522°C; boiling pt: 3338°C
Derived Forms
yttric, adjective
Word Origin
C19: New Latin; see ytterbia
Word Origin and History for yttrium

metallic rare-earth element, 1866, coined in Modern Latin by Swedish chemist Carl Gustaf Mosander (1797-1858) from Ytterby, name of a town in Sweden where mineral containing it was found.

yttrium in Medicine

yttrium yt·tri·um (ĭt'rē-əm)
n.
Symbol Y
A silvery, ductile, rare-earth element used in various alloys. Atomic number 39; atomic weight 88.905; melting point 1,522°C; boiling point 3,338°C; specific gravity 4.47 (25°C); valence 3.

yttrium in Science
yttrium
  (ĭt'rē-əm)   
Symbol Y
A silvery metallic element found in the same ores as elements of the lanthanide series. Yttrium is used to strengthen magnesium and aluminum alloys, to provide the red color in color televisions, and as a component of various optical and electronic devices. Atomic number 39; atomic weight 88.906; melting point 1,522°C; boiling point 3,338°C; specific gravity 4.45 (25°C); valence 3. See Periodic Table.
Encyclopedia Article for yttrium

(Y), chemical element, rare-earth metal of transition Group IIIb of the periodic table, used for red phosphors in colour television. Yttrium metal is silvery in colour, ductile, and relatively reactive; turnings of the metal ignite readily in air

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