scandium Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a white trivalent metallic element; sometimes classified in the rare earth group; occurs in the Scandinavian mineral thortveitite
    Sc; atomic number 21.

WordNet

Scan"di*um noun
Etymology
NL. So called because found in Scandinavian minerals
Definitions
  1. (Chem.) A rare metallic element of the boron group, whose existence was predicated under the provisional name ekaboron by means of the periodic law, and subsequently discovered by spectrum analysis in certain rare Scandinavian minerals (euxenite and gadolinite). It has not yet been isolated. Symbol Sc. Atomic weight 44 Atomic weight 44.96, at. no. 21; valence 3.

Webster 1913