erbium Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs with yttrium
    atomic number 68; Er.

WordNet

Er"bi*um noun
Etymology
NL. from Ytterby, in Sweden, where gadolinite is found. Cf. Terbium, Yttrium, Ytterbium.
Definitions
  1. (Chem.) A rare metallic element associated with several other rare elements in the mineral gadolinite from Ytterby in Sweden. Symbol Er. Atomic weight 165.9. Its salts are rose-colored and give characteristic spectra. Its sesquioxide is called erbia.

Webster 1913