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in·di·um

(ĭndē-əm)

n. Symbol In

A soft, malleable, silvery-white metallic element found primarily in ores of zinc and tin, used in making fusible alloys, in plating aircraft bearings and mirrors, and in compounds for making liquid crystal displays and transistors. Atomic number 49; atomic weight 114.82; melting point 156.60°C; boiling point 2,072°C; specific gravity 7.31; valence 1, 2, 3. See Periodic Table.

[IND(IGO) + -IUM (so called from the indigo-blue lines in its spectrum).]

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The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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