wolfram
WolframiteWolframite
US/ˈwʊlfrəm/
Meaning
2 senses(uncountable)Wolframite
(dated, uncountable)Tungsten
More definitions
- a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite
Origin
Borrowed from German Wolfram, of obscure origin. Generally assumed to be derived from WolfBorrowed from German Wolfram, of obscure origin. Generally assumed to be derived from Wolf (“wolf”) + Rahm (“cream, soot”), a calque of Latin lupi spuma (“wolf's froth”), coined by Georg Agricola in the 16th century and a term of contempt due to its lesser value compared to tin and its degradation to the tin smelting process. Else, possibly derived from a personal name, where the second element is derived from *hrabn (“raven”).
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Synonyms
3 synonymsClose in meaning
- a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite:tungstenWatomic number 74
Word family
5 related wordsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable