SELENIUM

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does selenium mean? 

• SELENIUM (noun)
  The noun SELENIUM has 1 sense:

1. a toxic nonmetallic element related to sulfur and tellurium; occurs in several allotropic forms; a stable grey metallike allotrope conducts electricity better in the light than in the dark and is used in photocells; occurs in sulfide ores (as pyrite)

  Familiarity information: SELENIUM used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SELENIUM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A toxic nonmetallic element related to sulfur and tellurium; occurs in several allotropic forms; a stable grey metallike allotrope conducts electricity better in the light than in the dark and is used in photocells; occurs in sulfide ores (as pyrite)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Synonyms:

atomic number 34; Se; selenium

Hypernyms ("selenium" is a kind of...):

chemical element; element (any of the more than 100 known substances (of which 92 occur naturally) that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter)

antioxidant (substance that inhibits oxidation or inhibits reactions promoted by oxygen or peroxides)

Holonyms ("selenium" is a substance of...):

fool's gold; iron pyrite; pyrite (a common mineral (iron disulfide) that has a pale yellow color)

 Context examples 

Forms of the element selenium found in foods.

(Dietary Selenium, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)

Selenium may be chemoprotective for certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer.

(L-Selenomethionine, NCI Thesaurus)

The plant stores minerals, including selenium which may stop tumor cells from growing.

(high-selenium Brassica juncea, NCI Dictionary)

One of the genes identified is involved in how the body uses selenium, a common mineral provided in food or supplements, but not currently included in vitamins women commonly take while pregnant.

(New Genetic Discovery May Eventually End Premature Birth, VOA)

This class of agents includes the vitamins C and E, the carotenoids, and selenium.

(Antioxidant, NCI Thesaurus)

Selenium is introduced into yeast during fermentation and incorporated into selenocompounds, such as selenomethionine and glutamyl SE methylselenocysteine.

(High-Selenium Baker's Yeast, NCI Thesaurus)

His team reviewed supplement data that included A, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B6, B9 (folic acid), C, D and E; and β-carotene; calcium; iron; zinc; magnesium; and selenium.

(Most Popular Supplements Provide No Health Benefit, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

These include iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride and selenium.

(Minerals, NIH)

A substance that contains the element selenium (a nutrient that protects cells against damage) and is found in certain plants such as garlic and broccoli.

(Methylselenocysteine, NCI Dictionary)

A selenium (Se) analogue of methionine in which sulfur is replaced with the trace element selenium.

(DL-Selenomethionine, NCI Thesaurus)