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magnesium

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word magnesium

Confidence
Probable
Formation
Derivation
Ultimate origin
Latin magnēsius
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin magnesium
English magnesium

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [maŋˈneː.si.ũː][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [maɲˈɲɛː.s̬i.um][1]

Forms

magnēsium n (genitive magnēsiī); second declension[1]

Etymology

Wiktionary takes it as a noun use from Latin magnēsius (“of Magnesia”), in the neuter.[1] The name of the metal was coined in 1808 by the English chemist Humphry Davy from magnesia, the white alkaline earth in which he found it, with the ending of metallic elements, -ium.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

In New Latin it is the name of the chemical element 12, symbol Mg.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 1808 – Humphry Davy coins the name of the element.[2]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (New Latin) magnesium, the chemical element with atomic number 12.[1][3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b Victionarium (Latin Wiktionary), la.wiktionary.org

Borrowed into

Cite this entry

“Magnesium.” Etymologically, 7 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/la/magnesium. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

Last edited on . ·