tantalum
1 synonym for tantalum, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A rare, hard, blue-grey metallic element with the symbol Ta and atomic number 73, which resists corrosion very well.
How to use tantalum
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
tantalum metal
tantalum capacitor
tantalum and niobium
Tantalum is a scientific term, used mainly in chemistry and materials contexts.
Etymology
The word was formed in New Latin by the Swedish chemist Anders Gustaf Ekeberg in 1802. It comes from Latin Tantalus, the name of a figure from myth, alluding to the metal's inability to absorb acid, with the chemical ending -ium.
Full origin of tantalum →Frequently asked questions
What is tantalum?
Tantalum is a chemical element with the symbol Ta and atomic number 73. It is a rare, hard, blue-grey, lustrous metal.
What is the chemical symbol for tantalum?
The chemical symbol for tantalum is Ta, and its atomic number is 73.
Where does the word tantalum come from?
Anders Gustaf Ekeberg, a Swedish chemist, coined the name in 1802 from Latin Tantalus. It alludes to the metal's inability to absorb acid.
