Platinum
['plætɪnəm] or ['plætnəm]
Definition
(noun.) a heavy precious metallic element; grey-white and resistant to corroding; occurs in some nickel and copper ores and is also found native in some deposits.
Checked by Dick--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A metallic element, intermediate in value between silver and gold, occurring native or alloyed with other metals, also as the platinum arsenide (sperrylite). It is heavy tin-white metal which is ductile and malleable, but very infusible, and characterized by its resistance to strong chemical reagents. It is used for crucibles, for stills for sulphuric acid, rarely for coin, and in the form of foil and wire for many purposes. Specific gravity 21.5. Atomic weight 194.3. Symbol Pt. Formerly called platina.
Typist: Meg
Definition
n. an important metal of a dim silvery appearance between gold and silver in value and very difficult to melt—older name Plat′ina.—adjs. Platin′ic; Platinif′erous.—v.t. Plat′inise to coat with platinum.—ns. Plat′inoid one of the metals with which platinum is always found associated—palladium iridium &c.; Plat′inotype a method of producing photographs by means of paper coated with a preparation of platinum: a picture so produced.—adj. Plat′inous containing or consisting of platinum.
Typed by Brooke
Examples
- Valuable metallic ores, such as those of gold, platinum, tin, copper and iron, often occur in the form of sand or mixed with that substance. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- The carbon disk is represented by the black portion, E, near the diaphragm, A, placed between two platinum plates D and G, which are connected in the battery circuit, as shown by the lines. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- It was carbon, and might be able to stand a stronger current than platinum. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- It was already dark when they were conducted into the machine-shop, where we had several platinum lamps installed in series. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Then began the long months of testing platinum wire. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- A great variety of lamps was made of the platinum-iridium type, mostly with thermal devices to regulate the temperature of the burner and prevent its being melted by an excess of current. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The hammer G and platinum strip F were connected to the opposite ends of a wire, which had in its circuit a battery and a receiver. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- If fine platinum wire is placed in an ordinary gas flame, it does not melt, but if placed in a flame of burning hydrogen, it melts very quickly. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- Experiment with this, however, resulted in failure, and then we tried mixing in with the platinum about ten per cent. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- The cautery consists of a loop of platinum wire carried by a suitable non-conducting handle, with means for constricting the white hot loop of wire about the tumor or object to be excised. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- When the picture is sufficiently impressed, he etches it into the plate by means of bichloride of platinum. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- It will be remembered that many of the earlier experiments were based on the use of strips of platinum; while other rare metals were the subject of casual trial. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- He had arranged twenty jars with platinum electrodes held in place by hard rubber. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Another method of giving illuminating power to water gas was to surround the flame with platinum gauze, which was rendered incandescent by the heat, and became highly luminous. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- Platinum even in those days was very expensive, costing several dollars an ounce, and I owned only three small strips. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
Typist: Shelley