aluminum
pronunciation
How to pronounce aluminum in British English:
UK [əˈljʊmɪnəm]
How to pronounce aluminum in American English:
US [əˈlumənəm]
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- Noun:
- a silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite
Word Origin
- aluminum (n.)
- 1812, coined by English chemist Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829), from alumina, name given 18c. to aluminum oxide, from Latin alumen "alum" (see alum). Davy originally called it alumium (1808), then amended this to aluminum, which remains the U.S. word, but British editors in 1812 further amended it to aluminium, the modern preferred British form, to better harmonize with other metallic element names (sodium, potassium, etc.).Aluminium, for so we shall take the liberty of writing the word, in preference to aluminum, which has a less classical sound. ["Quarterly Review," 1812]
Example
- 1. Its case is carved from a single piece of aluminum .
- 2. Unnecessary decorative touches included anodized aluminum triangles in the fins and chrome strips on the trunk lid .
- 3. " I 've said all along that steel and aluminum will continue to coexist , " said martens .
- 4. Another presumed apostle of aluminum , inside ford , is ceo alan mulally .
- 5. Novelis aluminum is used in the current model range rover .