Element name derived from the Latin for "Copenhagen"

• A gray tetravalent metallic element that resembles zirconium chemically and is found in zirconium minerals
• Used in filaments for its ready emission of electrons

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
rare element, 1923, Modern Latin, from Hafnia , Medieval Latin form of Danish Havn "harbor," the usual pre-1400 name of Copenhagen , Denmark, where it was discovered by physicist Dirk Coster (1889-1950) and chemist George de Hevesy (1885-1966).

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. A metallic chemical element (''symbol'' Hf) with an atomic number of 72.

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. a gray tetravalent metallic element that resembles zirconium chemically and is found in zirconium minerals; used in filaments for its ready emission of electrons [syn: Hf , atomic number 72 ]

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Hafnium is a chemical element with symbol Hf and atomic number 72. A lustrous , silvery gray, tetravalent transition metal , hafnium chemically resembles zirconium and is found in zirconium minerals . Its existence was predicted by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869, ...

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
hafnium \haf"ni*um\ (h[a^]f"n[=e]*[u^]m or h[aum]f"n[=e]*[u^]m), n. A metallic element of atomic number 72 present together with zirconium to the extent of 1% to 5% in zirconium minerals. It is a poisonous, ductile metal with a brilliant silver luster, ...