English

Noun

transition element ‎(plural transition elements)

1. (chemistry) any of the group or metallic elements that have an incomplete inner (d) electron shell; they have multiple valencies and form coloured compounds and stable complex ions; the elements scandium to copper and those lying below them in the periodic table

Usage notes

• The elements zinc, cadmium and mercury are sometimes included in this group.

Synonyms

• transition metal

Hyponyms

Translations

See also

• lanthanide
• actinide