5 definitions found for polonium

polonium n 1: a radioactive metallic element that is similar to tellurium and bismuth; occurs in uranium ores but can be produced by bombarding bismuth with neutrons in a nuclear reactor [syn: polonium, Po, atomic number 84]

polonium noun Etymology: New Latin, from Medieval Latin Polonia Date: 1898 a radioactive metallic element that is similar chemically to tellurium and bismuth, occurs especially in pitchblende and radium-lead residues, and emits an alpha particle to form an isotope of lead — see element table

polonium
n. Chem. a rare radioactive metallic element, occurring naturally in uranium ores.
Usage:
Symb.: Po.
Etymology: F & mod.L f. med.L Polonia Poland (the discoverer's native country) + -IUM

polonium pəˈləunɪəm n. Chem. a rare radioactive metallic element, occurring naturally in uranium ores. °Symb.: Po. [F & mod.L f. med.L Polonia Poland (the discoverer's native country) + -IUM]

Polonium Po*lo"ni*um, n. [NL. So named after Poland, in L. form Polonia, one of the discoverers being a Pole.] (Chem.) A supposed new element, a radioactive substance discovered by M. and MMe. Curie in pitchblende. It is closely related chemically to bismuth. It emits only alpha rays and is perhaps identical with radium F.