Potassium

n.

1.

(Chem.) An Alkali element, occurring abundantly but always combined, as in the chloride, sulphate, carbonate, or silicate, in the minerals sylvite, kainite, orthoclase, muscovite, etc. Atomic weight 39.0. Symbol K (Kalium). Potassium permanganate the salt KMnO4, crystallizing in dark red prisms having a greenish surface color, and dissolving in water with a beautiful purple red color; - used as an oxidizer and disinfectant. The name chameleon mineral is applied to this salt and also to potassium manganate. Potassium bitartrate See Cream of tartar, under Cream.

Noun

1.

potassium - a light soft silver-white metallic element of the alkali metal group; oxidizes rapidly in air and reacts violently with water; is abundant in nature in combined forms occurring in sea water and in carnallite and kainite and sylvite Synonyms: atomic number 19, K

atomic number 19, brine, carnallite, K, kainite, langbeinite, metal, metallic element, saltwater, seawater, sylvine, sylvite