Holmium

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Holmium \Hol"mi*um\, n. [NL., from Stockholm.] (Chem.)
     A rare element of atomic number 67 said to be contained in
     gadolinite. Chemical symbol Ho. Atomic weight 164.93. Valence
     +3. It was detected by spectral absorption bands in 1878 by
     the Delafontaine and Soret, who called it "Element X". Later
     the Swedish chemist Cleve independently discovered it in


     erbia, and named it after his native city Stockholm. The
     first preparation of pure Holmia, the yellow oxide, was not
     made until 1911. --HCP61 -- {Hol"mic}, a.
     [1913 Webster +PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  holmium
       n : a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs
           together with yttrium; forms highly magnetic compounds
           [syn: {Ho}, {atomic number 67}]

From Elements database 20001107 [elements]:

  holmium
  Symbol: Ho
  Atomic number: 67
  Atomic weight: 167.26
  Relatively soft and malleable silvery-white metallic element, which is stable
  in dry air at room temperature. It oxidizes in moist air and at high
  temperatures. It belongs to the lanthanoids. A rare-earth metal, it is found
  in the minerals monazite and gadolinite. It possesses unusual magnetic
  properties. One natural isotope, Ho-165 exists, six radioisotopes exist, the
  most stable being Ho-163 with a half-life of 4570 years. Holmium is used in
  some metal alloys, it is also said to stimulate the metabolism. Discovered by
  Per Theodor Cleve and J.L. Soret in Switzerland in 1879. The name homium comes
  from the Greek word Holmia which means Sweden. While all holmium compounds
  should be considered highly toxic, initial evidence seems to indicate that
  they do not pose much danger. The metal's dust however, is a fire hazard.