stibium

A scientist examines a sample of stibium in the laboratory.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A chemical element: "stibium" is an archaic or technical term for the metallic element antimony (symbol Sb, atomic number 51), which is a brittle, silvery-white semimetal used in alloys and flame retardants.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • In ancient alchemy, stibium was used as a cosmetic to darken eyebrows and eyelashes. (The element antimony was employed for its blackening properties.)
  • The ore of stibium is often found in association with lead and silver deposits. (The mineral source of antimony is commonly located near other metals.)

Advanced Usage

• "stibium" in historical contexts: The word derives from Latin "stibium," which itself came from Greek "stibi," referring to the black powder used as an eye cosmetic in ancient Egypt and Rome.
  • The Egyptians applied stibium to their eyes for protection from the sun and as a beauty treatment. (They used antimony-based kohl for practical and aesthetic purposes.)

Variants and Related Words

• Antimony (n): the modern English name for the element stibium.

  • Antimony is a key component in lead-acid batteries. (The element stibium is now commonly called antimony.)

• Stibine (n): a toxic, gaseous compound of hydrogen and antimony (SbH₃).

  • Stibine is produced when stibium reacts with strong acids. (Stibine is a dangerous byproduct of antimony chemistry.)

Synonyms

• Antimony: the standard contemporary term for the element.
• Sb: the chemical symbol for stibium/antimony.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs