illinium

A scientist carefully examines a sample of illinium in the laboratory.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Chemistry (obsolete): "illinium" was a name proposed for a chemical element that was later identified as promethium (atomic number 61). It is no longer in standard use.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The element illinium was once thought to exist in nature. (The name was proposed for a then-undiscovered element.)
  • Scientists in the early 20th century searched for illinium in rare earth minerals. (The search for element 61 was conducted under this name.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be named illinium": to have the temporary designation for element 61.
  • The element was named illinium after the University of Illinois. (The name reflected the institution where it was allegedly discovered.)

Variants and Related Words

• Promethium (n): the current accepted name for element 61.
  • Promethium replaced illinium in the periodic table. (The element was officially renamed.)

Synonyms

• Element 61: the atomic number of the substance.
  • Illinium was an early candidate for element 61. (The element's atomic number.)

Related Idioms

• "a name that never stuck": a temporary or rejected designation.
  • Illinium is a name that never stuck in the scientific community. (It was not adopted permanently.)