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strontium

(Science: chemistry) A metallic element of the calcium group, always naturally occurring combined, as in the minerals strontianite, celestite, etc. It is isolated as a yellowish metal, somewhat malleable but harder than calcium. It is chiefly employed (as in the nitrate) to colour pyrotechnic flames red. Symbol sr. Atomic weight 87.3.

Origin: NL. See Strontia.