Word
manganese
Phoneticsman·ganese
US/ˈmæŋɡəˌniz/
UK/mˈæŋɡənˌiːz/
Definition
n. a hard, grey metal element used in industry, especially to make steel stronger.
n. a transition metal element (atomic number 25) essential in industrial metallurgy for its ability to deoxidize and desulfurize steel.
Examples
“The factory uses manganese to make stronger steel parts.”
“Geologists discovered a large deposit of manganese ore in the mountains, which could provide raw materials for the local battery industry.”
“While essential for industrial metallurgy, manganese is also a vital trace mineral for human health, playing a key role in bone formation and the metabolism of carbohydrates and cholesterol.”
Examples
simple
“The factory uses manganese to make stronger steel parts.”
contextual
“Geologists discovered a large deposit of manganese ore in the mountains, which could provide raw materials for the local battery industry.”
complex
“While essential for industrial metallurgy, manganese is also a vital trace mineral for human health, playing a key role in bone formation and the metabolism of carbohydrates and cholesterol.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the element or the metal in bulk.
Teaching tip
While a C1/C2 word in general English, it is a basic term in chemistry and metallurgy contexts.
Real-World Examples
“The 3D-printed tank contains a sponge soaked with a catalyst, in this case manganese dioxide.” “Researchers had long believed that many black paintings in the region were made entirely from iron and manganese oxides.” Etymology
From French manganèse, from Italian manganese, by alteration from Latin magnesia (“magnesia”), from Ancient Greek μαγνησία (magnēsía), after Μαγνησία (Magnēsía, “Magnesia”). Doublet of Magnesia, magnesia, and magnesium; more at magnet.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.