tellurium
noun
tel·lu·ri·um tə-ˈlu̇r-ē-əm 
te-
: a semimetallic element that occurs in a silvery-white brittle crystalline form of metallic luster, in a dark amorphous form, or combined with metals and that is used especially in alloys and catalysts see Chemical Elements Table
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Toxic to humans, tellurium is now critical to the technology on which human civilization increasingly relies. 
Aaron Timms, The New Republic, 2 Sep. 2022 In another nod to a clean energy future, the company also recently started refining tellurium at its Magna facility. Tim Fitzpatrick, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 June 2022 But the United States is second only to China in the amount of tellurium reserves. Tim Fitzpatrick, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 May 2022 And many metals have production losses of 95 percent or higher: arsenic, gallium, germanium, hafnium, scandium, selenium, and tellurium. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 20 May 2022 Rio Tinto is working with the U.S. Department of Energy on ideas to produce more tellurium. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 17 May 2022 Most tellurium is produced in China, as are 90% of solar panels. Tim Fitzpatrick, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 May 2022 Most of the tellurium produced comes from China and other countries. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 17 May 2022 It will be sent to Canada to be refined into pure tellurium. Tim Fitzpatrick, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 May 2022 See More
Aaron Timms, The New Republic, 2 Sep. 2022 In another nod to a clean energy future, the company also recently started refining tellurium at its Magna facility. Tim Fitzpatrick, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 June 2022 But the United States is second only to China in the amount of tellurium reserves. Tim Fitzpatrick, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 May 2022 And many metals have production losses of 95 percent or higher: arsenic, gallium, germanium, hafnium, scandium, selenium, and tellurium. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 20 May 2022 Rio Tinto is working with the U.S. Department of Energy on ideas to produce more tellurium. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 17 May 2022 Most tellurium is produced in China, as are 90% of solar panels. Tim Fitzpatrick, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 May 2022 Most of the tellurium produced comes from China and other countries. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 17 May 2022 It will be sent to Canada to be refined into pure tellurium. Tim Fitzpatrick, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Latin tellur-, tellus earth
First Known Use
1800, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
tellurium
noun
tel·lu·ri·um tə-ˈlu̇r-ē-əm, te-
: a semimetallic element related to selenium and sulfur that occurs in a silvery white brittle crystalline form of metallic luster, in a dark amorphous form, or combined with metals and that is used especially in alloys —symbol Te see Chemical Elements Table