Definition

1. Noun:
   • A chemical element: A soft, gray, malleable metal with the atomic number 81 and symbol Tl. It is highly toxic and has properties similar to tin, but tarnishes when exposed to air. It is found in minerals like zinc blende and some iron ores.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The laboratory handled thallium with extreme caution due to its high toxicity.
  • Thallium poisoning can cause severe neurological damage.
  • Traces of thallium were detected in the ore sample.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific Context: The term is primarily used in chemistry, metallurgy, toxicology, and forensic science. It is not used in everyday conversation.
  • The study focused on the environmental impact of thallium leaching from mining operations.

Variants and Related Words

• Thallic (adj): Relating to or containing thallium, especially with a valence of three.
  • Thallic oxide is a compound of thallium.
• Thallous (adj): Relating to or containing thallium, especially with a valence of one.
  • Thallous sulfate was historically used as a rodenticide.

Synonyms

• Element 81: A synonym based on its atomic number.
• Metallic element: A general category to which it belongs.

Notes

• Abbreviation: "Tl" is the standard chemical symbol for thallium, derived from its Latin name, , which comes from the Greek , meaning "a green shoot or twig," due to its bright green spectral emission lines.
• Warning: This word almost exclusively appears in technical or scientific contexts concerning its properties, toxicity, or occurrence.

Noun

1. a soft grey malleable metallic element that resembles tin but discolors on exposure to air; it is highly toxic and is used in rodent and insect poisons; occurs in zinc blende and some iron ores