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| ce·ri·um [ sree əm ] |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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gray metallic element: a gray malleable metallic element, the most abundant of the rare-earth group. Source: bastnaesite, monazite. Use: metallurgy, glassmaking, ceramics, cigarette-lighter flints. Symbol Ce
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| [Early 19th century. < modern Latin<Ceres1; because the asteroid was discovered just before this element] |
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