rare-earth element
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Related to rare-earth element: noble metal
rare-earth element
(râr′ûrth′)n.
Any of a group of 17 naturally occurring metallic elements that have similar properties, consisting of scandium, yttrium, and the 15 elements with atomic numbers 57 through 71 (the lanthanides). The rare-earth elements are widely used in electronics and other high-tech products.
[rare earth.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
rare′-earth′ el`ement
n.
any of a group of closely related metallic elements, comprising the lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium, that are chemically similar in having the same number of valence electrons. Also called rare′-earth′ met`al.
[1955–60]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
rare-earth element
(râr′ûrth′) See lanthanide.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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Noun | 1. | rare-earth element - any element of the lanthanide series (atomic numbers 57 through 71) terbium metal - a separate group of related lanthanides, including terbium, europium, gadolinium, and sometimes dysprosium |
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