Hypertext Webster Gateway: "magnesium"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Magnesium \Mag*ne"si*um\, n. [NL. & F. See {Magnesia}.] (Chem.)
A light silver-white metallic element, malleable and ductile,
quite permanent in dry air but tarnishing in moist air. It
burns, forming (the oxide) magnesia, with the production of a
blinding light (the so-called magnesium light) which is used
in signaling, in pyrotechny, or in photography where a strong
actinic illuminant is required. Its compounds occur
abundantly, as in dolomite, talc, meerschaum, etc. Symbol Mg.
Atomic weight, 24.4. Specific gravity, 1.75.
{Magnesium sulphate}. (Chem.) Same as {Epsom salts}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
magnesium
n : a light silver-white ductile bivalent metallic element; in
pure form it burns with brilliant white flame; occurs
naturally only in combination (as in magnesite and
dolomite and carnallite and spinel and olivine) [syn: {Mg},
{atomic number 12}]
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