Definition of "dysprosium" [dys•pro•si•um]

• A soft, silvery rare-earth element used in nuclear research. Atomic number 66; atomic weight 162.50; melting point 1,407°C; boiling point 2,600°C; specific gravity 8.536; valence 3. See Table at element. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "A material known as dysprosium, used in magnets for wind turbines and electric vehicles, is particularly important to the clean-technology sector."
• "Dysprosium - one of the most critical rare-earth elements used in heat-resistant magnets for military radar systems In Latin, dysprosium means "hard to get" - has risen from $6.50 per pound in 2003 to more than $130 per pound today."
• "It said Boulder Wind Power's design allows for magnets that don't need the mineral dysprosium, which is scarce."