An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A nonmetallic chemical element; symbol I; atomic number 53; atomic weight 126.9045; melting point 113.5°C; boiling point 184.35°C.

Etymology (EN): Iodine, coined 1814 by British chemist Sir Humphry Davy from Fr. iode “iodine,” coined 1812 by Fr. chemist Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac (who proved it was an element) from Gk. ioeides “violet-colored,” because of its violet vapors. Despite the priority rights dispute between Davy and Gay-Lussac, both acknowledged Courtois as the discoverer of the element.

Etymology (PE): Yod, from Fr. iode, as above.