First Known Use: 1809
Dictionary
tantalum
noun tan·ta·lum \ˈtan-tə-ləm\
Definition of TANTALUM
: a gray-white ductile acid-resisting metallic element found combined in rare minerals (as tantalite and columbite) and used especially in electronic components — see element table
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Origin of TANTALUM
New Latin, from Latin Tantalus; from its inability to absorb acid
Medical Dictionary
tantalum
noun tan·ta·lum \ˈtant-əl-əm\
Medical Definition of TANTALUM
: a hard ductile gray-white acid-resisting metallic element of the vanadium family found combined in rare minerals and sometimes used in surgical implants and sutures—symbol Ta; see element table
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