transuranicadj.
/trɑːnzjʊˈranɪk/, /tranzjʊˈranɪk/, /trɑːnsjʊˈranɪk/, /transjʊˈranɪk/, U.S. /ˌtræn(t)sjəˈrænɪk/ Physics.
Of a chemical element: having a higher atomic number than uranium (i.e. 93 or over), the highest-numbered element to occur naturally in any but trace amounts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > radioactive isotope > [adjective] > having atomic number higher than uranium
transuranic1935
transuranian1938
1935 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 149 553 Our hypothesis that the 13-minute and 100-minute induced activities of uranium are due to transuranic elements seems to receive further support.
1958 Times 29 Aug. 6/3 The..isolation of the transuranic elements.
1976 Jrnl. Royal Soc. Arts 124 586/1 Seventy-two of the ninety-two naturally occurring elements are metals. If one includes the man~made transuranic elements the proportion remains about the same.
Derivatives
transuˈranian adj. (also transuˈranium) rare figurative in the same sense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > radioactive isotope > [adjective] > having atomic number higher than uranium
transuranic1935
transuranian1938
the world > matter > chemistry > elements and compounds > metals > specific elements > uranium > [adjective] > transuranian
transuranian1938
1938 R. W. Lawson tr. G. von Hevesy & F. A. Paneth Man. Radioactivity (ed. 2) xxvi. 289 ‘Trans-uranium’ elements were first prepared by Fermi.
1946 N.Y. Times 11 Apr. 15/4 Elements 95 and 96, the two newest trans-uranium elements to be created, have been named, respectively, Americium, after the Americas, and curium.
1947 J. G. Crowther & R. Whiddington Sci. at War iii. 129 He [sc. Fermi] concluded that he had made new atoms..and supposed that these must be ‘trans-uranian’ atoms.
1965 C. Brooke-Rose in J. Turner Fourth Ghost Bk. 181 The rumour spreads..through live material like a transuranian element decaying..into lead.
1971 Nature 6 Aug. 366/1 Seaborg..expressed the desire to return to California to resume his research on transuranium elements.
1978 N. Freeling Night Lords xxiv. 112 Night is what? A trans-uranium element, perhaps.
1979 Monitor (McAllen, Texas) 10 June 11- h/3 A person of almost transuranium energy.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1935