Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/ˈɔːrəs/

Definitions

• 1. Relating to or containing gold, especially in its +1 oxidation state.
• 2. Of or pertaining to gold-colored compounds, especially those in which gold is present in its lowest oxidation state.

Usage Examples

• "The aurous compounds were highly valued for their chemical properties."
• "In its aurous form, gold can combine with other elements to form useful alloys."
• "The scientist synthesized aurous chloride in the laboratory."

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word "aurum," meaning "gold," combined with the suffix "-ous," indicating a chemical state or property, especially referring to the lower oxidation state of an element.

Synonyms

• Golden
• Gold-containing
• Gold-based

Antonyms

• Silver
• Non-golden
• Base metal

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• In American English, the pronunciation may slightly emphasize the "a" sound in the first syllable: "AUR-ous."
• In British English, the pronunciation is more neutral: "aw-ROUS."

Historical Usage

The term "aurous" has been used in chemistry since the 19th century to describe gold compounds, specifically those in which gold is present in its +1 oxidation state. The word has roots in the classical Latin term "aurum" for gold, reflecting the long-standing association of gold with this element in various chemical forms.

Cultural Nuances

Gold, symbolized by the term "aurous," has played an important role in many cultures, often representing wealth, status, and divinity. In ancient cultures, gold was revered as a sacred and eternal metal, which likely contributed to the use of the term "aurous" in describing anything related to gold in its most elemental or pure form. The word is also frequently used in the fields of chemistry and materials science, particularly when discussing the various forms of gold in scientific contexts.

More Information

The word "aurous" is mainly used in scientific and chemical contexts to describe compounds of gold in which the metal is present in its +1 oxidation state. This is in contrast to "auric," which refers to gold compounds where gold is in its +3 oxidation state. Aurous compounds, like aurous chloride (AuCl), are often less stable than their auric counterparts, but they are important in various chemical processes, especially in the synthesis of gold-containing materials.