What does antimony mean?
Antimony is a chemical element with atomic number 51 and the symbol Sb, classified as a metalloid because it displays properties of both metals and non-metals. In its pure form it is a brittle, silvery-grey substance that is rarely used alone; instead, it appears in alloys that harden lead, in flame retardants such as antimony trioxide, and in certain semiconductor materials. The element has a long and colourful history: ancient Egyptians used antimony sulfide as kohl eye makeup, and medieval alchemists worked with it extensively, sometimes with fatal results, since many of its compounds are toxic. Today antimony is encountered mainly in chemistry, metallurgy, geology, and discussions of environmental health, where contamination by mining waste is a concern. Although unfamiliar to most people outside these fields, it remains industrially significant and scientifically interesting as one of the elements known since antiquity.
nounA brittle, silvery-grey metalloid chemical element with atomic number 51 and symbol Sb, used in alloys, flame retardants, and semiconductors.
- The chemical element of atomic number 51, a brittle lustrous grey metalloid with symbol Sb, used chiefly in alloys, flame retardants, and semiconductor materials.
"The ancient Egyptians used antimony sulfide as kohl eyeliner."
"Lead-acid battery plates are strengthened by adding a small amount of antimony to the alloy."
"Medieval alchemists prized antimony for its ability to purify gold, though its compounds proved highly toxic."
Rarely used; antimony is normally treated as an uncountable mass noun, so the plural form appears only in unusual contexts.
"The museum's collection included samples of several distinct antimonies from different mines."
Ancient Egyptians ground antimony into the iconic black eyeliner worn by pharaohs — a cosmetic trend over 5,000 years old.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of antimony
The English word 'antimony' comes from medieval Latin 'antimonium', a term of disputed ultimate origin that entered English in the late Middle Ages or early modern period. Some theories link it to Greek 'anti-monos' ('against solitude', referring to its occurrence as a compound rather than free metal), while others suggest Arabic mediation, but none is firmly established. The element's chemical symbol, Sb, derives instead from the separate Latin name 'stibium', itself borrowed from Greek 'stibi', meaning the mineral stibnite. Related terms include the mineral stibnite, the principal ore of antimony.
Related word forms
How antimony is actually used
Antimony is an uncountable noun used almost exclusively in scientific, technical, and historical contexts; it is rare in everyday conversation. Its chemical symbol Sb derives from the Latin name 'stibium'.
Easily confused with antimony
An antinomy is a contradiction between two beliefs or conclusions that are each reasonable on their own, whereas antimony is a chemical element.