helio

helium

noun EH-lyoh Rare

Origin: from Greek Hēlios (sun), named because first detected in the sun's spectrum

Usage Note

Helio is a noble gas (element 2), lighter than air, used to fill balloons and in medical MRI machines. Unlike most Spanish nouns, it lacks a natural plural in scientific usage. Do not confuse with the prefix helio- meaning 'sun' (heliocéntrico).

Examples

"Los globos de helio flotan en el aire."

Natural Translation

Helium balloons float in the air.

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