silicon
UK: ˈsɪlɪkən | US: ˈsɪlɪkɑːn
n. a nonmetallic chemical element with atomic number 14, widely used in electronics and semiconductors.
n. (colloquial) shorthand for the high-tech industry, especially in regions like Silicon Valley.
silicon = silic<flint/stone> + on<chemical suffix>
- silic<flint/stone>: Derived from Latin silex (genitive silicis), meaning "flint" or "hard stone." Reflects the element’s natural occurrence in silica (e.g., quartz).
- on: A suffix used in chemistry to denote elements (e.g., carbon, boron), likely influenced by the Greek -on neuter ending.
Etymology Origin:
The word silicon was coined in 1817 by Scottish chemist Thomas Thomson by adapting the Latin silicis (flint) to fit the naming pattern of chemical elements. Its association with flint highlights its abundance in Earth’s crust as silica (SiO₂). The modern tech connotation arose in the 1970s from Silicon Valley, where the element’s use in semiconductors became iconic.
Silicon is a key component in solar panels and computer chips.
The startup moved to Silicon Valley to join the tech boom.
Pure silicon is rarely found in nature; it usually bonds with oxygen.
Engineers developed a new silicon-based battery with higher efficiency.
The region’s economy thrives on silicon innovation.