metallic element, 1812, Modern Latin, from Spanish platina "platinum," diminutive of plata "silver," from Old French plate or Old Provençal plata "sheet of metal" (see plate (n.)). The metal looks like silver, and the Spaniards at first thought it an inferior sort of silver, hence the name platina. It was first obtained from Spanish colonies in Mexico and Colombia, brought to Europe in 1735, and identified as an element 1741. Taken into English as platina (c. 1750), it took its modern form (with element ending -ium) in 1812, at the time the names of elements were being regularized. As a shade of blond hair, attested from 1931. As a designation for a recording that has sold at least one million copies, it is attested from 1971.
双语例句
1. I'll give her a platinum ring.
我打算送给她一枚白金戒指.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. Platinum exceeds gold in value.
白金的价值高于黄金.
来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
3. Metals commonly mixed with gold are nickel, platinum, and copper.
通常与金混合的金属有镍 、 铂和铜.
来自英语晨读30分（高一）
4. The United States was vulnerable to shortages of chrome, bauxite, and platinum.
美国的弱点是缺少铬 、 矾土和铂.
来自辞典例句
5. A thermocouple made of platinum / platinumrhodium provides the accurate temperature sensing.
