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ANTIMONY (n. pl. -NIES)
Definition(s):
- (n.) a brittle, silvery-white, metallic element (symbol Sb), used especially in alloys, paints, semiconductors, flame-retardant substances, and medicinal compounds
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -L
- Anagrams: ANTINOMY (n.)
- Longer extensions: (none)
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: ANTIMONYL (n.)
Epilogue:
This word first appeared in early alchemy manuals in the Medieval Latin form antimonium, but it is not known exactly what it means or where it ultimately originated. A popular folk etymology holds that it comes from the French anti-moine, meaning “against monks” or “monks-bane,” in part because ANTIMONY is somewhat poisonous. More likely, as with many alchemy terms, the word is probably a corruption of an earlier Arabic or Egyptian form.
ANTIMONY has also been known as STIBIUM (from the ancient Greek and Egyptian names for antimony powder), and its chemical symbol Sb is patterned after that alternate name. This element also figures in the etymology of the interesting word SOROCHE, as mentioned in an entry from last December.
This week’s theme: Elements with interesting etymologies
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