TUNGSTEN

n. Tu3n2'ste2n. Fr., tungstene. Ger., Wolfram. 1. A metallic element discovered in 1783. It occurs, usually as a tungstate, in various minerals. It has been obtained in the form of a light-gray lustrous powder, not readily oxidized except at high temperatures. Its sp. gr. is said to be 19'129, although by some it is put as low as 16'5, and by others is stated to be 18'0. In composition it acts apparently as a dyad, tetrad, pentad, and hexad. Symbol W (from wolfram), sometimes Tu; atomic weight, 183'5. 2. Calcium tungstate'. [B, 3, 16.] [s. 661]