Reference meaning
-ium
Last updated
Used to form the names of metal elements, after the style of early-named elements, as well as the isotopes of hydrogen.
Other meanings
2. suffix
Used to form the temporary systematic element name of a metallic or nonmetallic element which is postulated to exist, or which has been newly synthesized and has not yet been assigned a permanent name.
3. suffix
Used to form the name of polyatomic cations. Common examples are quaternary ammonium compounds used as neuromuscular blocking agents, cholinergic agents, anticholinergic agents, antibacterials/antiseptics, or other agents.
4. suffix
Appended to common words to create scientific-sounding or humorous-sounding fictional substance names.
Source and scope
This definition is reproduced from English Wiktionary, sense en--ium-en-suffix-5szn~kCM, under the CC BY-SA 4.0. It has not yet received VocabularyBase editorial review. Read the source and license details.