ˈärˌgän, ˈȧg- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Greek, neuter of argos idle, lazy, from a- a- (II) + ergon work — more at work
: a colorless odorless inert gaseous element that occurs in the air to the extent of 0.94 percent by volume and in volcanic gases, is obtained by separating from liquid air, and is used chiefly as a protecting atmosphere during fabrication and arc welding of metals and as a filler for electric incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, for gas-filled electron tubes, and for Geiger-Müller counters — symbol A or Ar ; see element table