platinum

platinum
A metallic element, atomic no. 78, atomic wt. 195.08, used for making small parts for chemical apparatus because of its resistance to acids; in powdered form (p. black), it is an important catalyst in hydrogenation. Some of its salts have been used in the treatment of syphilis. A derivative, cisplatin, is used as an antineoplastic agent. [Mod. L., originally platina, fr. Sp. plata, silver]

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plat·i·num 'plat-nəm, -ən-əm n a heavy precious grayish white noncorroding ductile malleable metallic element that fuses with difficulty and is used esp. in chemical ware and apparatus, as a catalyst, and in dental and jewelry alloys symbol Pt see ELEMENT (table)

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plat·i·num (Pt) (platґĭ-nəm) [L.] a heavy, soft, whitish metal, resembling tin: atomic number, 78; atomic weight, 195.09; specific gravity, 21.37. It also occurs as a black powder (p. black) and a spongy substance (spongy p.). Metallic platinum is insoluble except in nitrohydrochloric acid, and is fusible only at very high temperatures; it is therefore used in the manufacture of chemical apparatus. Platinum black and spongy platinum have a strong affinity for oxygen, and act as powerful oxidizing and catalytic agents.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Platinum — Студийный альбом Майк Олдфилд …   Википедия

  • Platinum — Plat i*num, n. [NL., fr. Sp. platina, from plata silver, LL. plata a thin plate of metal. See {Plate}, and cf. {Platina}.] (Chem.) A metallic element of atomic number 78, one of the noble metals, classed with silver and gold as a precious metal,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • platinum — Symbol: Pt Atomic number: 78 Atomic weight: 195.078 Attractive greyish white metal. When pure, it is malleable and ductile. Does not oxidize in air, insoluble in hydrochloric and nitric acid. Corroded by halogens, cyandies, sulphur and alkalis.… …   Elements of periodic system

  • platinum — plat‧i‧num [ˈplætnəm] noun [uncountable] a silver grey metal used in manufacturing and traded on commodity market S: • a platinum mine • platinum jewellery * * * platinum UK US /ˈplætɪnəm/ US  /ˈplætənəm/ noun [U] …   Financial and business terms

  • Platinum — Platinum, AK U.S. city in Alaska Population (2000): 41 Housing Units (2000): 26 Land area (2000): 44.630629 sq. miles (115.592794 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.071778 sq. miles (0.185904 sq. km) Total area (2000): 44.702407 sq. miles (115.778698… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Platinum, AK — U.S. city in Alaska Population (2000): 41 Housing Units (2000): 26 Land area (2000): 44.630629 sq. miles (115.592794 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.071778 sq. miles (0.185904 sq. km) Total area (2000): 44.702407 sq. miles (115.778698 sq. km) FIPS… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • platinum — ☆ platinum [plat′ n əm] n. [ModL < Sp platina, dim. of plata, silver < Prov, metal plate, silver bar, silver < VL * plattus, flat: see PLATE] a silver colored, malleable, ductile, metallic chemical element that is highly resistant to… …   English World dictionary

  • platinum — metallic element, Modern Latin, from Sp. platina platinum, dim. of plata silver, from O.Fr. plate or O.Prov. plata sheet of metal (see PLATE (Cf. plate)). The metal looks like silver, and the Spaniards at first thought it an inferior sort of… …   Etymology dictionary

  • platinum — ► NOUN 1) a precious silvery white metallic chemical element used in jewellery and in some electrical and laboratory apparatus. 2) (before another noun ) greyish white or silvery like platinum. ORIGIN Spanish platina, from plata silver …   English terms dictionary

  • Platinum — This article is about the chemical element. For other uses, see Platinum (disambiguation). iridium ← platinum → gold Pd ↑ Pt ↓ Ds …   Wikipedia

  • platinum — /plat n euhm, plat neuhm/, n. 1. Chem. a heavy, grayish white, highly malleable and ductile metallic element, resistant to most chemicals, practically unoxidizable except in the presence of bases, and fusible only at extremely high temperatures:… …   Universalium

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