selenium
|se/le/ni/um|
B2
🇺🇸
/səˈliːniəm/
🇬🇧
/sɪˈliːniəm/
chemical element
Etymology
Etymology Information
'selenium' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'selēnē,' where 'selēnē' meant 'moon.'
Historical Evolution
'selēnē' transformed into the modern English word 'selenium' through scientific nomenclature.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to the moon, but over time it evolved into its current meaning as a chemical element.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a chemical element with the symbol Se and atomic number 34, known for its photoconductive properties and used in photocells, solar cells, and as a dietary supplement.
Selenium is used in the production of glass and pigments.
Last updated: 2025/01/30 15:47