Category:Yttrium

Yt"tri*um, n. Etym: [nl., from ytterby, in sweden. See erbium.] (chem.)

Defn: a rare metallic element of the boron-aluminium group, found in Gadolinite and other rare minerals, and extracted as a dark gray Powder. Symbol y. Atomic weight, 89. [written also ittrium.]

Note: associated with yttrium are certain rare elements, as erbium, Ytterbium, samarium, etc., which are separated in a pure state with Great difficulty. They are studied by means of their spark or Phosphorescent spectra. Yttrium is now regarded as probably not a Simple element, but as a mixture of several substances.