lanthanide

[ lan-thuh-nahyd, -nid ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any element of the lanthanide series.

lanthanide

/ ˈlænθəˌnaɪd; ˈlænθəˌnɒn /

noun

1. any element of the lanthanide series Also calledrare earthrare-earth element

lanthanide

/ lăn′thə-nīd′ /

1. Any of a series of 15 naturally occurring metallic elements. The lanthanides include elements having atomic numbers 57 (lanthanum) through 71 (lutetium). They are grouped apart from the rest of the elements in the Periodic Table because they all behave in a similar way in chemical reactions.
2. Also called rare-earth element
3. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of lanthanide¹

First recorded in 1925–30; lanthan(um) + -ide ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of lanthanide¹

C19: from lanthanum + -ide

Example Sentences

Look in the second row from the bottom of most periodic tables, and you’ll find the lanthanides, split off from an archive of elements that doesn’t know what to do them.

From Popular-Science

The lanthanides are a close-knit bunch that are hard to distinguish from each other because of their similar colors and properties.

From Popular-Science