An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A grey, very hard metallic chemical element; symbol Be. → Atomic number 4; → atomic weight 9.01218;
→ melting point about 1,278°C; → boiling point 2,970°C (estimated); → specific gravity 1.85 at 20°C; → valence +2. Beryllium occurs as beryl, from which it is obtained by electrolysis. Used for light alloys which are corrosion resistant. Beryllium was discovered by Louis Nicolas Vauquelin (1763-1829) in 1798. First isolated by Friedrich Wöhler (1800-1882) in 1828.

See also: From L. beryll(us), from beryl, a mineral, beryllium aluminum silicate, Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈, M.E. beril, from O.Fr., from L. berillus, from Gk. beryllos, + → -ium.