noun
antimony
AN-tih-moh-nee/ˈæntɪməʊni/
A brittle, silvery chemical element used in alloys and compounds.
The antimony specimen has sharp fractured faces and small brittle chips.
Etymology
Latin antimonium named black antimony, a powdered substance used medicinally and in alchemy. The name later came to denote the pure metallic element; its deeper origin is obscure.
In context
Gutenberg was trained as a goldsmith, so he understood alloys. He mixed lead with tin and antimony: soft enough to cast a sharp edge, hard enough to survive …
More examples
- The sample contains traces of antimony.
- The chart identifies antimony by the symbol Sb.
- Some industrial compounds contain antimony.
Similar words
- metal
- A broader material category; antimony is commonly classified as a metalloid.