| osmium | <chemistry> A rare metallic element of the platinum group, found native as an alloy in platinum ore, and in iridosmine. It is a hard, infusible, bluish or grayish white metal, and the heaviest substance known. Its tetroxide is used in histological experiments to stain tissues. Symbol Os. Atomic weight 191.1. Specific gravity 22.477. Origin: Gr. A smell, odour, akin to to smell. So named in allusion to the strong chlorinelike odour of osmic tetroxide. See Odour. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| osmium compounds | Inorganic compounds that contain osmium as an integral part of the molecule. (12 Dec 1998) |
| osmium tetroxide | <chemical> Used as a post fixative/stain in electron microscopy. Membranes in particular are osmiophilic, i.e. Bind osmium tetroxide. (18 Nov 1997) |