samarium Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a grey lustrous metallic element of the rare earth group; is used in special alloys; occurs in monazite and bastnasite
    atomic number 62; Sm.

WordNet

Sa*ma"ri*um noun
Etymology
NL., fr. E. samarskite.
Definitions
  1. (Chem.) A rare metallic element of doubtful identity. ✍ Samarium was discovered, by means of spectrum analysis, in certain minerals (samarskite, cerite, etc.), in which it is associated with other elements of the earthy group. It has been confounded with the donbtful elements decipium, philippium, etc., and is possibly a complex mixture of elements not as yet clearly identified. Symbol Sm. Provisional atomic weight 150.2. a true element. Symb. Sa or Sm; At. No. 62; At. wt. 150.43. Valence 2 or 3.

Webster 1913