Magnesium
[mæg'niːzɪəm] or [mæg'nizɪrm]
Definition
(noun.) a light silver-white ductile bivalent metallic element; in pure form it burns with brilliant white flame; occurs naturally only in combination (as in magnesite and dolomite and carnallite and spinel and olivine).
Edited by Denny--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A light silver-white metallic element, malleable and ductile, quite permanent in dry air but tarnishing in moist air. It burns, forming (the oxide) magnesia, with the production of a blinding light (the so-called magnesium light) which is used in signaling, in pyrotechny, or in photography where a strong actinic illuminant is required. Its compounds occur abundantly, as in dolomite, talc, meerschaum, etc. Symbol Mg. Atomic weight, 24.4. Specific gravity, 1.75.
Checker: Thelma
Definition
n. a metal of a bright silver-white colour which while burning gives a dazzling white light and forms magnesia.—n. Magnē′sia a light white powder got by burning magnesium used as a medicine.—adj. Magnē′sian belonging to containing or resembling magnesia.—n. Mag′nesite native magnesium carbonate.
Edited by Elvis
Examples
- Magnesium was first prepared by Bussey in 1829. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- In these were found large quantities of iron, considerable percentages of nickel, as well as cobalt, copper, silicon, phosphorus, c arbon, magnesium, zinc, and manganese. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- The substances which make water hard are calcium and magnesium salts. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- Washing soda combines with calcium and magnesium and prevents them from uniting with soap. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- In 1864 magnesium light was employed by Mr. Brothers, of Manchester, for photographic purposes, and about 1876-8 Van der Weyde made use of the electric light for the same purpose. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
Typed by Bartholdi