ˈflu̇(ə)ˌrēn, ˈflōrˌēn, ˈflȯˌrēn, -_rə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from New Latin fluor (mineral belonging to a group including fluorite) + French -ine
: a nonmetallic univalent element belonging to the halogens that is normally a pale yellowish flammable irritating toxic gas, that is one of the most powerful oxidizing agents known, attacking water, most metals, and organic compounds, that occurs naturally only in combination in the form of minerals (as fluorite, cryolite, or fluorapatite) and in small amounts in several other minerals, in mineral waters, and in bones and teeth, that is best isolated by electrolysis of a molten mixture of hydrogen fluoride and potassium fluoride, and that is used chiefly in making fluorine compounds — symbol F ; see element table