osmium

Definition

A chemical element (symbol Os) with atomic number 76: a hard, brittle, heavy, bluish-white transition metal found as a trace element in alloys, mostly in platinum ores.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ὀσμή (osmḗ, “smell”) (because of the strong smell of its oxide) + -ium.

Example Sentences

• "Their latest catalyst includes some osmium."
• "This reaction substitutes a ruthenium for an osmium."