cerous

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The word "cerous" is an adjective that relates to cerium, a chemical element. Specifically, it refers to cerium when it has a valence of 3, which is a way to describe how it can bond with other elements in chemical reactions.

Explanation:

• Cerium: This is a rare metallic element found in the lanthanide series of the periodic table. It is often used in various industrial applications, including making glass and in catalysts.
• Valence: This term describes the ability of an atom to bond with other atoms. A valence of 3 means that cerium can form bonds with three other atoms.

Usage Instructions:

You would use "cerous" when you are talking about chemistry, particularly when discussing the properties or compounds that contain cerium in that specific state.

Example:

• "The cerous oxide was used to enhance the performance of the catalytic converter in vehicles."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced chemistry discussions, you might see "cerous" used in conjunction with other terms: - "Cerous compounds exhibit unique properties that make them useful in various technological applications."

Word Variants:

• Cerium (the noun): The element itself.
• Ceric: This is another adjective that refers to cerium when it has a valence of 4.

Different Meaning:

"Cerous" is primarily used in a scientific context related to chemistry. It does not have different meanings in everyday language.

Synonyms:

There are no direct synonyms for "cerous," as it is a specific term used in chemistry. However, you might encounter related terms like "ceric" when discussing cerium at a different valence.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no idioms or phrasal verbs related to "cerous," as it is a specialized term used in a scientific context.

Summary:

In summary, "cerous" is a technical term used in chemistry to describe cerium with a valence of 3.

Academic

Adjective

1. of or relating to or containing cerium with valence 3