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Silicon
//ˈsɪləkɒn// noun, slang
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A nonmetallic element (symbol Si) with an atomic number of 14 and atomic weight of 28.0855. uncountable, usually
"The isolated disordered regions and the amorphous layer have widely different anneal behavior. In the case of germanium and silicon, the isolated disordered regions anneal at moderate temperatures of approximately 200° and 300° C, respectively. The amorphous layers also anneal in a characteristic fashion, but at appreciably higher temperatures, i.e., at approximately 600° C in silicon and 400° C in germanium."
- 2 Computing. slang, uncountable
- 3 a tetravalent nonmetallic element; next to oxygen it is the most abundant element in the earth's crust; occurs in clay and feldspar and granite and quartz and sand; used as a semiconductor in transistors wordnet
- 4 A single atom of this element. countable, usually
- 5 A computer processor. slang, uncountable
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- 6 Abbreviation of silicon chip. abbreviation, alt-of, uncountable
Etymology
Etymology 1
Coined by Scottish chemist Thomas Thomson as a modification of the earlier name silicium, from the stem of Latin silex (“flint, silica”) + -on from carbon.
Etymology 2
From the silicon chips used in computers.
See also for "silicon"
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