lutetium

or lu·te·ci·um

[ loo-tee-shee-uhm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a trivalent rare-earth element. : Lu; : 174.97; : 71.

lutetium

/ lʊˈtiːʃɪəm /

noun

1. a silvery-white metallic element of the lanthanide series, occurring in monazite and used as a catalyst in cracking, alkylation, and polymerization. Symbol: Lu; atomic no: 71; atomic wt: 174.967; valency: 3; relative density: 9.841; melting pt: 1663°C; boiling pt: 3402°C

lutetium

/ lo̅o̅-tē′shē-əm /

1. A silvery-white metallic element of the lanthanide series that is used in nuclear technology. Its radioactive isotope is used in determining the age of meteorites. Atomic number 71; atomic weight 174.97; melting point 1,663°C; boiling point 3,395°C; specific gravity 9.840 (at 25°C); valence 3.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of lutetium¹

1905–10; < Latin Lūtēt ( ia ) Paris + -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of lutetium¹

C19: New Latin, from Latin Lūtētia ancient name of Paris, home of G. Urbain (1872–1938), French chemist, who discovered it

Example Sentences

Most rare earth elements are lanthanides, elements from 57 -- lanthanum -- to 71 -- lutetium -- on the periodic table.

From Science Daily

For instance, the material described in the paper was supposed to have around three hydrogen atoms for every lutetium atom.

From Scientific American

The 17 elements are: lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, scandium, yttrium.

From Reuters

Dr. Dias’s material is made of lutetium, a silvery-white rare earth metal, along with hydrogen and a little bit of nitrogen.

From New York Times

Salamat has used imaging methods that reveal where the heavy lutetium atoms are within the compound, but the team isn’t yet certain about the configuration of the lighter hydrogen and nitrogen atoms.

From Scientific American