neutrino

Definition

An elementary particle that is classified as a lepton, and has an extremely small but nonzero mass and no electric charge. It interacts with the surroundings only via the weak force or gravitation, making it very difficult to detect.

Etymology

Coined by Italian physicist Enrico Fermi in 1933 from neutron + the Italian diminutive suffix -ino; by surface analysis, neutr(o)- + -ino.

Example Sentences

• "But researchers at the CERN lab near Geneva claim they have recorded neutrinos, a type of tiny particle, travelling faster than the barrier of 186,282 miles (299,792 kilometres) per second."

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