from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ruthenium \Ru*the"ni*um\, n. [NL. So named from the Ruthenians,
a Little Russian people, as coming from Russia, the metal
having been found in the Ural mountains.] (Chem.)
A rare element of the light platinum group, found associated
with platinum ores, and isolated as a hard, brittle
steel-gray metal which is very infusible. Symbol Ru. Atomic
weight 103.5. Specific gravity 12.26. See {Platinum metals},
under {Platinum}.
[1913 Webster]
from
The Elements (07Nov00)
ruthenium
Symbol: Ru
Atomic number: 44
Atomic weight: 101.07
Hard white metallic transition element. Found with platinum, used as a
catalyst in some platinum alloys. Dissolves in fused alkalis, and is not
attacked by acids. Reacts with halogens and oxygen at high temperatures.
Isolated in 1844 by K.K. Klaus.