indium

[ in-dee-uhm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a rare metallic element, soft, white, malleable, and easily fusible, found combined in various ore minerals, especially sphalerite: so called from the two indigo-blue lines in its spectrum. : In; : 114.82; : 49; : 7.3 at 20°C.

indium

/ ˈɪndɪəm /

noun

1. a rare soft silvery metallic element associated with zinc ores: used in alloys, electronics, and electroplating. Symbol: In; atomic no: 49; atomic wt: 114.82; valency: 1, 2, or 3; relative density: 7.31; melting pt: 156.63°C; boiling pt: 2073°C

indium

/ ĭn′dē-əm /

1. A soft, malleable, silvery-white metallic element that occurs mainly in ores of zinc and lead. It is used in the manufacture of semiconductors, in bearings for aircraft engines, and as a plating over silver in mirrors. Atomic number 49; atomic weight 114.82; melting point 156.61°C; boiling point 2,080°C; specific gravity 7.31; valence 1, 2, 3.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of indium¹

1860–65; < New Latin, equivalent to ind ( icum ) indigo + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of indium¹

C19: New Latin, from indigo + -ium

Example Sentences

Though it requires complex engineering, one promising approach combines traditional silicon circuits with those made from more exotic compound semiconductors, such as indium phosphide.

From MIT Technology Review

Turns out they contain elements — cobalt and indium, to name just two — that are becoming increasingly scarce.

From Ozy

With today’s trends of natural resource use, natural sources of indium will be depleted in about 10 years, platinum in 15 years and silver in 20 years.

From Singularity Hub 

In properties gallium is more or less intermediate between the metals aluminium and indium.

From Project Gutenberg

Antimony follows closely in the track of gallium and indium, the upper ring of spheres being identical.

From Project Gutenberg

Indium oxide, In2O3, is a yellow powder which is formed on ignition of the hydroxide.

From Project Gutenberg

The mono- and dichlorides are decomposed by water with the formation of the trichloride, and separation of metallic indium.

From Project Gutenberg

Lecoq de Boisbaudran and E. Jungfleisch, on the extraction of gallium from the ores in which it is found associated with indium.

From Project Gutenberg