chalcogen
/ˈkalkədʒ(ə)n/(also chalkogen) Chemistry
noun
Any of the elements in group 16 (group VI a) of the periodic table, comprising oxygen, sulphur, selenium, tellurium, and polonium.
- The short-lived synthetic element 116 is sometimes also included..
Origin
1940s. From chalco- + -gen, after halogen. Compare earlier chalcogenide.