selenate

[ sel-uh-neyt ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a salt or ester of selenic acid.

selenate

/ ˈsɛlɪˌneɪt /

noun

1. any salt or ester formed by replacing one or both of the hydrogens of selenic acid with metal ions or organic groups

Word History and Origins

Origin of selenate¹

First recorded in 1810–20; selen(ic acid) + -ate ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of selenate¹

C19: from selenium + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The entomologists’ dream of the built-in insecticide was born when workers in the field of applied entomology realized they could take a hint from nature: they found that wheat growing in soil that contains sodium selenate was poisonous to aphids.

From The New Yorker

The entomologists’ dream of the built-in insecticide was born when workers in the field of applied entomology realized they could take a hint from nature: they found that wheat growing in soil containing sodium selenate was immune to attack by aphids or spider mites.

From Literature

The usual test for the element is to so dissolve it, oxidize it to an acid, then test with radium selenate, when a brilliant greenish blue salt is—” “Test with radium selenate!”

From Project Gutenberg