antimony

American  

[an-tuh-moh-nee] / ˈæn təˌmoʊ ni /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a brittle, lustrous, white metallic element occurring in nature free or combined, used chiefly in alloys and in compounds in medicine. Sb; 51; 121.75.

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antimony British  

/ ˈæntɪmənɪ /

noun

1. a toxic metallic element that exists in two allotropic forms and occurs principally in stibnite. The stable form is a brittle silvery-white crystalline metal that is added to alloys to increase their strength and hardness and is used in semiconductors. Symbol: Sb; atomic no: 51; atomic wt: 121.757; valency: 0, –3, +3, or +5; relative density: 6.691; melting pt: 630.76°C; boiling pt: 1587°C

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antimony Scientific  

/ ăn′tə-mō′nē /

1. A metalloid element having many forms, the most common of which is a hard, very brittle, shiny, blue-white crystal. It is used in a wide variety of alloys, especially with lead in car batteries, and in the manufacture of flameproofing compounds. Atomic number 51; atomic weight 121.76; melting point 630.5°C (1,167°F); boiling point 1,380°C (2,516°F); specific gravity 6.691; valence 3, 5.

2. See Periodic Table

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Other Word Forms

• antimonial adjective

Etymology

Origin of antimony

1375–1425; late Middle English antimonie < Medieval Latin antimōnium, perhaps < dialectal Arabic uthmud

Example Sentences

Elevated amounts of lead, chromium, and antimony were also detected.

From Science Daily

Gold and silver, along with arsenic, antimony, and mercury, accumulate in the surrounding rocks.

From Science Daily

Until recently, antimony, which is often found in gold mines, was treated as detritus by gold miners.

From The Wall Street Journal

After last week's meeting, the White House said China will issue export licences for rare earths, as well as gallium, germanium, antimony and graphite.

From Barron's

Short term, inhaling antimony can cause eye irritation or a skin rash known as antimony spots.

From Los Angeles Times