a rare light silvery-white metallic element occurring in minute quantities in numerous minerals. Symbol: Sc; atomic no: 21; atomic wt: 44.955910; valency: 3; relative density: 2.989; melting pt: 1541°C; boiling pt: 2836°C
Word origin
C19: from New Latin, from Latin Scandia Scandinavia, where it was discovered
scandium in American English
(ˈskændiəm)
noun
a rare, silvery-white, metallic chemical element occurring with various rare-earth elements, used to produce high-intensitylight sources, etc.: symbol, Sc; at. no., 21
Word origin
ModL: so named (1879) by L. F. Nilson (1840-99), Swed chemist < ML Scandia, Scandinavia (source of the ore from which it was isolated) + -ium