Definition

Noun: 1. A chemical element: A soft, silvery-white, trivalent metallic element belonging to the lanthanide series of the rare earth group on the periodic table. It is typically found in nature combined with other rare earth elements, such as yttrium. * Symbol: Lu * Atomic Number: 71

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The mineral sample was found to contain traces of lu.
  • Lu is one of the least abundant rare earth elements.
  • The chemist studied the properties of lu and its compounds.

Advanced Usage

• In scientific contexts: The term "lu" is almost exclusively used in specialized fields like chemistry, geology, and materials science. It is not used in everyday conversation.
  • The new alloy's efficiency is enhanced by doping it with lu.

Variants and Related Words

• Lutetium: This is the full, formal name for the element "lu".
  • Lutetium-176 is a radioactive isotope used in geological dating.

Synonyms

• Lutetium: (n) The full name of the element.
• Element 71: (n) A reference by its atomic number.
• Rare earth metal: (n) The category to which it belongs.

Notes on Meaning

• Specificity: "Lu" refers specifically to the pure chemical element. It does not have other common meanings in general English.
• Context: Understanding this word requires context from chemistry or related scientific disciplines.

Noun

1. a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; usually occurs in association with yttrium