dysprosium

noun dys·pro·si·um \ dis-ˈprō-zē-əm , -zh(ē-)əm \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of dysprosium

: an element of the rare-earth group that forms highly magnetic compounds — see Chemical Elements Table

Recent Examples of dysprosium from the Web

The 16 million tons of materials could contain 780 years worth of yttrium, 620 years worth of europium, 420 years worth of terbium, and 730 years worth of dysprosium.

— aj willingham, CNN, "How the mud in this small Japanese island could change the global economy," 16 Apr. 2018
But Reuters notes that while neodymium costs about $100 per kg and dysprosium costs about $400 per kg, lanthanum and cerium cost about $5 to $7 per kg.

— megan geuss, Ars Technica, "Toyota’s new magnet won’t depend on some key rare-earth minerals," 28 Feb. 2018
The new magnet Toyota developed also uses no terbium or dysprosium, which can be added to neodymium to improve its operability at high heat, above 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit).

— megan geuss, Ars Technica, "Toyota’s new magnet won’t depend on some key rare-earth minerals," 28 Feb. 2018
The permanent magnets can be improved, too, by making them from strongly magnetic rare-earth materials such as dysprosium and neodymium.

— The Economist, "Let’s twist againAs electric motors improve, more things are being electrified," 14 Sep. 2017
Neodymium, dysprosium, and praseodymium are used in combination to create the components of an electric engine.

— nelson ching, National Geographic, "How Acid—and Bacteria—Could Make Recycling Your Phone Greener," 10 June 2016
The iPhone contains a chorus of eight rare earth elements: neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, terbium, gadolinium, europium, lanthanum, and yttrium.

— edward humes, WIRED, "Your iPhone’s 500,000-Mile Journey to Your Pocket," 12 Apr. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dysprosium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dysprosium

New Latin, from Greek dysprositos hard to get at, from dys- + prositos approachable, from prosienai to approach, from pros- + ienai to go — more at issue

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1886

in the meaning defined above

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