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Webster 1913 Edition


Silicon

Sil′i-con

,
Noun.
[See
Silica
.]
(Chem.)
A nonmetalic element analogous to carbon. It always occurs combined in nature, and is artificially obtained in the free state, usually as a dark brown amorphous powder, or as a dark crystalline substance with a meetallic luster. Its oxide is silica, or common quartz, and in this form, or as silicates, it is, next to oxygen, the most abundant element of the earth’s crust. Silicon is characteristically the element of the mineral kingdom, as carbon is of the organic world. Symbol Si. Atomic weight 28. Called also
silicium
.

Definition 2024


Silicon

Silicon

See also: silicon and silicón

German

Alternative forms

Noun

Silicon n (genitive Silicons, plural Silicone)

  1. (organic chemistry) silicone

Declension

silicon

silicon

See also: Silicon and silicón

English

Chemical element
Si Previous: aluminium (Al)
Next: phosphorus (P)

Noun

silicon (usually uncountable, plural silicons)

  1. (chemistry) A nonmetallic element (symbol Si) with an atomic number of 14 and atomic weight of 28.0855.
  2. A single atom of this element.
Usage notes

Do not confuse silicon with silicone.

Synonyms
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations

See also

Etymology 2

From the silicon chips used in computers

Noun

silicon (uncountable)

  1. (slang) computing
  2. (slang) computer processor
  3. Abbreviation of silicon chip.

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowing from French silicone.

Noun

silicon m (plural siliconi)

  1. (chemistry) silicone

Declension

Noun

silicon n (plural silicoane)

  1. (informal, chiefly in the plural) breast implant

Declension

Related terms