tennessine

noun

Etymology: From Tennessee + -ine, named after the Tennessee region. Promulgated in June 2016 by the IUPAC based on recommendations of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Vanderbilt University and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to honor the region where the element was discovered. Suffix -ine, rather than -ium, is due to it being a halogen (like fluorine or chlorine).

1. The chemical element (halogen) with atomic number 117.

   “One of the newest members of the periodic table will likely have a familiar sound to it, even if the spelling might be a bit off: Tennessine.”

   “In January 2016 the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) announced the discovery of four new elements, so completing the seventh row of the periodic table. They have since been named as nihonium, Nh, muscovium^([sic]), Mc, tennessine, Ts, and organesson^([sic]), Og. The procedures for naming new elements are clearly laid out by IUPAC.”