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xenotime

Pronunciation: /ˈzɛnə(ʊ)tʌɪm/

Definition of xenotime

noun

[mass noun]

a yellowish-brown mineral which occurs in some igneous rocks and consists of a phosphate of yttrium and other rare earth elements.
- Composition: native yttrium phosphate

Origin:

mid 19th century: from xeno-, apparently erroneously for Greek kenos 'vain, empty', + timē 'honour' (because it was wrongly supposed to contain a new metal)