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chal·co·gen

(kălkə-jən)

Any of the elements appearing in Group 6a of the periodic table, sharing certain chemical properties; oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, polonium, or element 116.

[Greek khalkos, copper + -GEN, since many of the important ores of copper, such as chalcopyrite, contain chalcogens.]

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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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