Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
STRONTIAN, n. Also -ean. A carbonate containing strontium, the metallic element Sr, so called from having been first discovered in a natural state among the waste from the lead-mines at Strontian in Argyll. The element was first isolated by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1808 and given the name strontium, now in gen. scientific use. The form strontian and its derivs. strontites [-′əitiz], strontitic, both first applied in Scot., are now obs. exc. hist. See D. Murray in Scotsman (23 June 1956) 8. [′strɔnʃɪən. The place-name is pronounced stron′tiən.]Sc. 1789 Medical Communic. II. 354, 357:
The salt which is obtained from the combination of the Strontean mineral with the muriatic acid, is much more soluble in hot water than in cold. . . . The Strontean mineral has a greenish cast.Sc. 1793 Trans. Royal Soc. Edb. IV. ii. 6, 8, 10:
The specific gravity of the Strontian far exceeds that of calcareous spar. . . . I shall take the liberty of calling it by the name of Strontites. . . . All the properties of Strontitic water.
