Definition of "scandium" [scan•di•um]

• A silvery-white metallic element found in various rare minerals and separated as a byproduct in the processing of certain uranium ores. An artificially produced radioactive isotope is used as a tracer in studies of oil wells and pipelines. Atomic number 21; atomic weight 44.956; melting point 1,540°C; boiling point 2,850°C; specific gravity 2.99; 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.

• "The name scandium was derived from the Latin word Scandia which means Scandinavia."
• "There is a mad quest among nations now to find new rare-earth reserves - elements such as scandium, yttrium and lanthanum, to list just a few."
• "I look forward to his discussion of scandium and yttrium."