An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A non-metallic chemical element; symbol Si. Atomic number 14; atomic weight 28.0855; melting point 1,410°C; boiling point 2,355°C; specific gravity 2.33 at 25°C. It occurs in a combined state in minerals and rocks and constituting more than one fourth of the earth’s crust.

Etymology (EN): From silic(a), from L. silex (genitive silicis) “flint, pebble” + -on, as in carbon and boron.

Etymology (PE): Silisiom, from Fr. silicium, from silic(a), as above,

• -ium as in magnesium, barium.