n. Symbol Ge A brittle, crystalline, gray-white metalloid element, widely used as a semiconductor, as an alloying agent and catalyst, and in certain optical glasses. Atomic number 32; atomic weight 72.64; melting point 938.3°C; boiling point 2,833°C; specific gravity 5.323 (at 25°C); valence 2, 4. See Periodic Table. [After Germania.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.