What does selenium mean?

Definitions for selenium
sɪˈli ni əmse·le·ni·um

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word selenium.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. selenium, Se, atomic number 34noun

    a toxic nonmetallic element related to sulfur and tellurium; occurs in several allotropic forms; a stable grey metallike allotrope conducts electricity better in the light than in the dark and is used in photocells; occurs in sulfide ores (as pyrite)

Wiktionary

  1. seleniumnoun

    A nonmetallic chemical element (symbol Se) with an atomic number of 34.

Wikipedia

  1. Selenium

    Selenium is a chemical element with the symbol Se and atomic number 34. It is a nonmetal (more rarely considered a metalloid) with properties that are intermediate between the elements above and below in the periodic table, sulfur and tellurium, and also has similarities to arsenic. It seldom occurs in its elemental state or as pure ore compounds in the Earth's crust. Selenium – from Greek selḗnē (σελήνη 'Moon') – was discovered in 1817 by Jöns Jacob Berzelius, who noted the similarity of the new element to the previously discovered tellurium (named for the Earth). Selenium is found in metal sulfide ores, where it partially replaces the sulfur. Commercially, selenium is produced as a byproduct in the refining of these ores, most often during production. Minerals that are pure selenide or selenate compounds are known but rare. The chief commercial uses for selenium today are glassmaking and pigments. Selenium is a semiconductor and is used in photocells. Applications in electronics, once important, have been mostly replaced with silicon semiconductor devices. Selenium is still used in a few types of DC power surge protectors and one type of fluorescent quantum dot. Although trace amounts of selenium are necessary for cellular function in many animals, including humans, both elemental selenium and (especially) selenium salts are toxic in even small doses, causing selenosis. Selenium is listed as an ingredient in many multivitamins and other dietary supplements, as well as in infant formula, and is a component of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase (which indirectly reduce certain oxidized molecules in animals and some plants) as well as in 3 deiodinase enzymes. Selenium requirements in plants differ by species, with some plants requiring relatively large amounts and others apparently not requiring any.

ChatGPT

  1. selenium

    Selenium is a non-metallic chemical element that belongs to the oxygen group. It is symbolized as Se on the periodic table and stands at the atomic number 34. Selenium occurs in a number of different ores and is known for its photovoltaic and photoconductive properties which are used in various technological applications. In addition, selenium is an essential trace element in the diet of many animals and humans, playing a vital role in DNA synthesis, thyroid gland function, and protection against oxidative damage.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Seleniumnoun

    a nonmetallic element of the sulphur group, and analogous to sulphur in its compounds. It is found in small quantities with sulphur and some sulphur ores, and obtained in the free state as a dark reddish powder or crystalline mass, or as a dark metallic-looking substance. It exhibits under the action of light a remarkable variation in electric conductivity, and is used in certain electric apparatus. Symbol Se. Atomic weight 78.9

  2. Etymology: [NL., from Gr. selh`nh the moon. So called because of its chemical analogy to tellurium (from L. tellus the earth), being, as it were, a companion to it.]

Wikidata

  1. Selenium

    Selenium is a chemical element with symbol Se and atomic number 34. It is a nonmetal with properties that are intermediate between those of its periodic table column-adjacent chalcogen elements sulfur and tellurium. It rarely occurs in its elemental state in nature, or as pure ore compounds. Selenium was discovered in 1817 by Jöns Jacob Berzelius, who noted the similarity of the new element to the previously-known tellurium. Selenium is found impurely in metal sulfide ores, where it partially replaces the sulfur. Commercially, selenium is produced as a byproduct in the refining of these ores, most often during copper production. Minerals that are pure selenide or selenate compounds are known, but are rare. The chief commercial uses for selenium today are in glassmaking and in pigments. Selenium is a semiconductor and is used in photocells. Uses in electronics, once important, have been mostly supplanted by silicon semiconductor devices. Selenium continues to be used in a few types of DC power surge protectors and one type of fluorescent quantum dot. Selenium salts are toxic in large amounts, but trace amounts are necessary for cellular function in many organisms, including all animals. Selenium is a component of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase. It is also found in three deiodinase enzymes, which convert one thyroid hormone to another. Selenium requirements in plants differ by species, with some plants requiring relatively large amounts, and others apparently requiring none.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Selenium

    sē-lē′ni-um, n. an element discovered by Berzelius in the refuse of a sulphuric-acid factory in 1817.—n. Sel′ēnate, a compound of selenic acid with a base.—adjs. Selen′ic, Selē′nious.—n. Sel′enide, a compound of selenium with one other element or radical—also Selē′niuret.—adjs. Selenif′erous; Selē′niuretted, containing selenium. [Gr. sēlēne, the moon.]

U.S. National Library of Medicine

  1. Selenium

    An element with the atomic symbol Se, atomic number 34, and atomic weight 78.96. It is an essential micronutrient for mammals and other animals but is toxic in large amounts. Selenium protects intracellular structures against oxidative damage. It is an essential component of GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE.

The Standard Electrical Dictionary

  1. Selenium

    A non-metallic element. It is interesting electrically on account of the changes its electric resistance undergoes when it is subjected to light. In one set of experiments it was found that diffused light caused the resistance to fall in the ratio of 11 to 9. Full sunlight reduced it to one-half. Of the spectrum colors red was most powerful and the ultra red region still more strongly affected its resistance. The effect produced by exposure to light is instantaneous, but on removal to the dark only slowly disappears. A vessel of hot water was found to have no effect, showing that short ether waves are essential to the effect.

Matched Categories

Anagrams for selenium »

  1. semilune

  2. seminule

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of selenium in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of selenium in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of selenium in a Sentence

  1. Ashita Gupta:

    Clinical research shows that taking 200 mcg daily of the mineral selenium can reduce anti-thyroid antibodies, alternatively, you can get the mineral by eating one to twoBrazil nutseach day.

  2. Lisa Cimperman:

    Eggs, in general, are also good sources of B vitamin, thiamine is one example, and selenium, which is an antioxidant, and folate is a good vitamin, particularly for pregnant women.

  3. Donna Lisenby:

    The Cape Fear sample also had higher levels of chromium, lead, manganese and selenium.

  4. Stephanie Moleski:

    Miscarriage in celiac disease patients has been linked to vitamin deficiencies of zinc, selenium, iron and folate, when I see patients who have had fertility or pregnancy complications I feel it is appropriate to consider testing for celiac disease.

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Translations for selenium

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