Zirconium

[zɜː'kəʊnɪəm] or [zɚ'konɪəm]

Definition

(noun.) a lustrous grey strong metallic element resembling titanium; it is used in nuclear reactors as a neutron absorber; it occurs in baddeleyite but is obtained chiefly from zircon.

Checked by Evita--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) A rare element of the carbon-silicon group, intermediate between the metals and nonmetals, obtained from the mineral zircon as a dark sooty powder, or as a gray metallic crystalline substance. Symbol Zr. Atomic weight, 90.4.

Inputed by Evelyn

Definition

n. the metallic constituent of the earth Zircō′nia which is found in association with silica in the minerals Zir′con and hyacinth and is obtained only in Ceylon one district of the Ural and southern Norway.—n. Zir′conite a variety of zircon.

Typed by Bartholdi