systematic element name

[ sis-tuh-mat-ik el-uh-muhnt neym ]

noun

, Chemistry, Physics.

1. a temporary name assigned to a chemical element whose synthesis is not yet confirmed: formed essentially from the Latin and Greek for the digits of the element’s atomic number, as for element 107, named unnilseptium, from Latin ūn(us) “one” + nil “zero” + Latin sept(em) “seven” + -ium, before being officially named bohrium.

Word History and Origins

Origin of systematic element name¹

First recorded in 1975–80