I. ˈplat( ə )nəm noun
( -s )
Etymology: New Latin, from Spanish platina, platinum, diminutive of plata silver, from Old Spanish — more at plate
1. : a very heavy precious metallic element that is typically grayish white, is noncorroding, ductile, and malleable, expands only slightly when heated and fuses with difficulty, has a relatively high electric resistance, and is chiefly bivalent and tetravalent, that occurs usually native as grains and nuggets containing alloys (as with iridium, osmium, iron, copper) in alluvial deposits often associated with nickel sulfide and gold ores, and that is used chiefly in the form of alloys in special chemical ware and apparatus (as crucibles, dishes, foil, wire), in electrical and electronic devices, as a catalyst, in dental alloys, and in jewelry — symbol Pt ; see element table
2. : a moderate gray that is lighter than median gray
3. : a furbearer (as a fox or mink) of a light color phase that occurs especially in ranch-bred animals
II. adjective
1. : of or relating to platinum : made of platinum
platinum jewelry
2. : of the color platinum
3. : belonging to the platinum color phase
platinum foxes
4. : suggestive of the luxury value of platinum : costly
present-day platinum prices of basic needs
III. adjective
: qualifying for a platinum record
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- go platinum