

  • n. A lustrous, iron-gray, malleable metallic rare-earth element that occurs chiefly in the minerals monazite and bastnaesite, exists in four allotropic states, is a constituent of lighter flint alloys, and is used in various metallurgical and nuclear applications. Atomic number 58; atomic weight 140.12; melting point 795°C; boiling point 3,468°C; specific gravity 6.67 to 8.23; valence 3, 4. See Table at element.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

  • n. A metallic chemical element (symbol Ce) with an atomic number of 58.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • n. A rare metallic element, occurring in the minerals cerite, allanite, monazite, etc. Symbol Ce. Atomic weight 141.5. It resembles iron in color and luster, but is soft, and both malleable and ductile. It tarnishes readily in the air.

from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

  • n. Chemical symbol, Ce; atomic weight, 141.5; specific gravity, 5.5. A metal discovered in 1803 by Klaproth, Hisinger, and Berzelius independently.


  • n. a ductile grey metallic element of the lanthanide series; used in lighter flints; the most abundant of the rare-earth group


Cer(es) + -ium.
From Ceres (“a recently discovered asteroid”) +‎ -ium. (Wiktionary)


