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yttrium

(Science: chemistry) A rare metallic element of the boron-aluminium group, found in gadolinite and other rare minerals, and extracted as a dark gray powder. Symbol Y. Atomic weight.

Alternative forms: ittrium.

associated with yttrium are certain rare elements, as erbium, ytterbium, samarium, etc, which are separated in a pure state with great difficulty. They are studied by means of their spark or phosphorescent spectra. Yttrium is now regarded as probably not a simple element, but as a mixture of several substances.

Origin: NL, from Ytterby, in Sweden. See Erbium.