Glucina

/ɡluːˈsiːnə/ noun

Definition

Beryllium oxide (BeO), a white powder used in ceramics and electrical insulation.

Etymology

From Greek 'glukus' (sweet) because beryllium compounds taste sweet; the suffix '-ina' is a Latin feminine ending used in chemistry to name compounds.

Kelly Says

Glucina tastes sweet but is actually toxic—this is why ancient alchemists gave it a sweet-sounding name without knowing that sweetness wasn't always a safe indicator!

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