chalcogen

noun

chal·​co·​gen ˈkal-kə-jən How to pronounce chalcogen (audio)
: any of the elements oxygen, sulfur, selenium, and tellurium

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary chalk- bronze, ore (from Greek chalkos) + -gen; from the occurrence of oxygen and sulfur in many ores

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chalcogen was in 1940

Dictionary Entries Near chalcogen

Cite this Entry

“Chalcogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chalcogen. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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