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Added 9 October 2026

silicon

/ˈsɪlɪkən/ noun

Categories: NatureUncommon Words

In Latin: silicium Coined: a coined word, by Thomas Thomson Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about silicon at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. A nonmetallic element (symbol Si) with an atomic number of 14 and atomic weight of 28.0855.
  2. A single atom of this element.

noun

  1. Computing.
  2. A computer processor.
  3. Abbreviation of silicon chip.

Origin

Coined by Scottish chemist Thomas Thomson as a modification of the earlier name silicium, from the stem of Latin silex (“flint, silica”) + -on from carbon.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Related Words: sisilicasiliconemulticrystallinevalleysealantbreastchiptaiwansiliciummetalloid

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