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Glite Dictionary
lanthanide series

lanthanide series

1 9.9
A group of rare metals with similar properties used in magnets and electronics
  • noun
  • /ˈlænθənaɪd ˈsɪriz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : serie de lantánidos
  • Researchers are studying the lanthanide series for use in advanced optical materials.

Examples

  • The lanthanide series is essential for many high-tech electronic applications.

  • Elements in the lanthanide series are known for their strong magnetic properties.

  • The lanthanide series is fascinating.

  • Did you know the lanthanide series is important?

  • The elements in the lanthanide series are used in various technologies, including smartphones and electric cars.

  • In chemistry, the lanthanide series is notable for its similar chemical behavior among its elements.

  • Lanthanum is the first element in the lanthanide series, which includes 15 elements from atomic numbers 57 to 71.

Surface Forms

lanthanide series singular
lanthanide series plural

Morphology

lanthanide + series

Given knowledge of 'lanthanide' (a class of metallic elements) and 'series' (a sequence or group of related items), a B1 learner can readily infer that 'lanthanide series' refers to the group of lanthanide elements. The construction is compositional and follows a common noun + noun/labeling pattern found across languages, so the meaning is directly derivable from its parts.

Etymology

The name lanthanide series comes from a Greek word meaning 'hidden' because these elements were hard to find and stayed hidden in rocks. Because they are all like lanthanum, scientists grouped them and called the group a series, so today the phrase means this set of similar elements.