tungsten

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)A rare metallic chemical element (symbol W, from Latin wolframium) with an atomic number of 74.

   “So far they have built and used a prototype robot to make millionth-of-a-meter scratches in aluminum with a fine tungsten needle.”

   “Which makes the concept known as Rods From God the ultimate form of kinetic weaponry. This theoretical weapon would drop telephone pole sized rods of dense tungsten from a satellite in orbit.”

2. (countable, uncountable)A light bulb containing tungsten.

   “We have several business houses where tungstens are used as window lights only, and find that in nearly every one the wiring was arranged to get more light, leaving the consumption about the same.”

   “Lighting was unimaginative for the standard stock with naked tungsten filament bulbs and metal reflectors. However, all compartments had individual reading lights above the seats with attractive glass shades.”

3. (countable, obsolete, uncountable)scheelite, calcium tungstate

   “We apprehend that this is not the acid of a calx ponderoſa, but rather a diſtinct acid conjoined to common calcareous earth, ſince, in fact, in another place, § 97, the tungſten is mentioned as a calx ſaturated with a peculiar acid, perhaps of a metallic nature, for which the author himſelf refers us to the above § 33, and ſeems to think it the ſame as the acid there mentioned.”