- A rare metallic element, of a silver white color, and low
specific gravity (2.1), resembling magnesium. It never occurs naturally
in the free state, but is always combined, usually with silica or
alumina, or both; as in the minerals phenacite, chrysoberyl, beryl or
emerald, euclase, and danalite. It was named from its oxide glucina,
which was known long before the element was isolated. Symbol Gl. Atomic
weight 9.1. Called also beryllium.
Definition
[ n.]