platinum
noun
[ ˈplatɪnəm ]
• a precious silvery-white metal, the chemical element of atomic number 78. It was first encountered by the Spanish in South America in the 16th century, and is used in jewellery, electrical contacts, laboratory equipment, and industrial catalysts.
Origin:
early 19th century: alteration of earlier platina, from Spanish, diminutive of plata ‘silver’.
go platinum
• (of a recording) achieve sales meriting a platinum disc.
