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xenotime

noun
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xen·​o·​time | \ ˈzenəˌtīm \
plural -s

Definition of xenotime

: a mineral YPO4 that is a phosphate of yttrium occurring in usually brown or yellow tetragonal crystals and rolled grains and that often also contains thorium, erbium, cerium, or other elements (hardness 4–5, specific gravity 4.45–4.56)

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History and Etymology for xenotime

French xénotime, irregular (influence of xén- xen-) from Greek kenos empty, vain + timē honor; from the fact that it was wrongly thought at first to contain a new metal

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Cite this Entry

“Xenotime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/xenotime. Accessed 21 Jun. 2021.

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