tungsten

noun

Etymology: Borrowed from Swedish tungsten (“scheelite”), from tung (“heavy”) + sten (“stone”).

1. A rare metallic chemical element (symbol W, from Latin wolframium) with an atomic number of 74.

   “He then explained that tungsten has the highest melting point, and the highest boiling point, of all known elements.”

   “So far they have built and used a prototype robot to make millionth-of-a-meter scratches in aluminum with a fine tungsten needle.”

2. Any of various commercially available alloys principally of tungsten.

   “There was a bar of tungsten on the bench, and they were invited to feel how heavy it was.”

3. A light bulb containing tungsten.

   “We have several business houses where tungstens are used as window lights only, and find that in nearly every one the wiring was arranged to get more light, leaving the consumption about the same.”

   “Lighting was unimaginative for the standard stock with naked tungsten filament bulbs and metal reflectors. However, all compartments had individual reading lights above the seats with attractive glass shades.”

4. scheelite, calcium tungstate

   “We apprehend that this is not the acid of a calx ponderoſa, but rather a diſtinct acid conjoined to common calcareous earth, ſince, in fact, in another place, § 97, the tungſten is mentioned as a calx ſaturated with a peculiar acid, perhaps of a metallic nature, for which the author himſelf refers us to the above § 33, and ſeems to think it the ſame as the acid there mentioned.”