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Webster 1913 Edition
Tantalum
Tan′ta-lum
,Noun.
[NL. So named on account of the perplexity and difficulty encounterd by its discoverer (Ekeberg) in isolating it. See
Tantalus
.] (Chem.)
A rare nonmetallic element found in certain minerals, as tantalite, samarskite, and fergusonite, and isolated as a dark powder which becomes steel-gray by burnishing. Symbol Ta. Atomic weight 182.0. Formerly called also
tantalium
. Webster 1828 Edition
Tantalum
TAN'TALUM
,Noun.