Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A dense, volatile, corrosive, reddish-brown, nonmetallic liquid halogen element that exists as a diatomic molecule, Br2 having a highly irritating vapor. Chiefly isolated from brines, it is used in producing fumigants, dyes, water purification compounds, and photographic chemicals. Atomic weight 79.904; atomic number 35; melting point −7.2°C; boiling point 58.8°C; density of gas 7.59 grams per liter; specific gravity (liquid, at 20°C) 3.12; valence 1, 3, 5, 7. cross-reference: Periodic Table.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Chemical symbol, Br; atomic weight, 80. A non-metallic element allied in its chemical relations to chlorine and iodine.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Chem.) One of the halogen elements, related in its chemical qualities to chlorine and iodine. Atomic weight 79.8. Symbol Br. It is a deep reddish brown liquid of a very disagreeable odor, emitting a brownish vapor at the ordinary temperature. In combination it is found in minute quantities in sea water, and in many saline springs. It occurs also in the mineral bromyrite.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun uncountable A nonmetallic chemical element (symbol Br) with an atomic number of 35; one of the halogens
  • noun countable A bromine atom in a molecule

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a nonmetallic heavy volatile corrosive dark brown liquid element belonging to the halogens; found in sea water

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[French brome (from Greek brōmos, stench) + –ine.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From French brome, from Ancient Greek βρῶμος (brōmos, "stink")

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word bromine.

Examples

  • The word bromine comes from the Greek word bromos, meaning 'horrible smell'.

    Recently Uploaded Slideshows AHardwicke 2009

  • The name bromine, for example, is derived from a Greek word meaning a stench, referring to the extremely unpleasant odor of the substance.

    An Elementary Study of Chemistry William McPherson

  • Chemical-products maker Gulf Resources rose 42 cents, or 6.3%, to 7.10 after the China-based company boosted its outlook for the year for the second time since April on continued price increases in bromine, which is used in fire retardants and fine chemicals.

    Health Care Leads Gains, 2010

  • I have found it to yield more satisfactory results than bromine, which is much more expensive.

    Scientific American Supplement, No. 324, March 18, 1882 Various

  • -- Of all common photographic paper, the best, because the least troublesome in making, and the most satisfactory in result, is that which is termed bromine paper, and which is thus prepared: -- Dissolve one hundred grains of bromide of potassium in one ounce of distilled water, and soak the paper in this solution.

    History and Practice of the Art of Photography Henry Hunt Snelling 1856

  • There is another chemical on the market called bromine that comes in a cartridge format will self dispense itself into your hot tub for up to 60 days.

    Article Source 2009

  • As we know that chocolate contains bromine, which is extremely deadly to dogs.

    MyLinkVault Newest Links 2009

  • The Michigan-based environmental group Ecology Center has released the results of its analysis of more than 60 different car seat models, testing for chemicals such as bromine, chlorine, and lead.

    The FREAKest Links - Freakonomics Blog - NYTimes.com 2007

  • The Michigan-based environmental group Ecology Center has released the results of its analysis of more than 60 different car seat models, testing for chemicals such as bromine, chlorine, and lead.

    The FREAKest Links - Freakonomics Blog - NYTimes.com 2007

  • We use a kind of bromine tablet in our spa in the US and it works great.

    no such thing as city water? 2003

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • Br.

    December 16, 2007