thallium: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2technical, scientific
Quick answer
What does “thallium” mean?
A soft, grey, heavy, toxic metallic chemical element with the symbol Tl and atomic number 81.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A soft, grey, heavy, toxic metallic chemical element with the symbol Tl and atomic number 81.
Occasionally referenced in specialized contexts like chemistry, toxicology, materials science, and historical (notorious) poisonings due to its tastelessness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No lexical or usage differences; the word is identical in both standard varieties.
Connotations
Neutral scientific connotations; historically carries an association with poisoning (e.g., the 'Thallium Murder' cases).
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, used only in highly specialized contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “thallium” in a Sentence
N (thallium) + N (compound/poisoning)Adj (thallium) + N (atom/ion)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thallium” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The thallium content of the sample was analysed.
- A thallium-based compound was tested.
American English
- They measured the sample's thallium levels.
- The thallium compound showed interesting properties.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used outside of highly specialized chemical manufacturing or analytical service reports.
Academic
Used in chemistry, toxicology, environmental science, and forensic science research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Extremely rare; may appear in news articles about historical crimes, industrial accidents, or toxic waste.
Technical
The primary context: used to describe the element, its properties, compounds, isotopes, and applications/risks.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thallium”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thallium”
- Spelling: 'thalium' (missing one 'l'), 'thallim', 'thallium' confused with 'thulium' (Tm).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, thallium is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the Earth's crust, often in association with potassium and other metals.
Historically used in rat poisons and insecticides (now banned in many countries), and in certain types of glass and electronics. Its use is now highly restricted.
It gained notoriety as a poison in murder cases because thallium compounds are colourless, odourless, tasteless, and the symptoms of poisoning mimic other illnesses.
It is pronounced /ˈθæliəm/ (THAL-ee-um), with a 'th' sound as in 'think' and the stress on the first syllable, in both British and American English.
A soft, grey, heavy, toxic metallic chemical element with the symbol Tl and atomic number 81.
Thallium is usually technical, scientific in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'THAT' metal is 'ALI' (alien) because its toxicity is alien to life. TH-ALL-I-UM.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'thallium' MOST commonly used?