Nickel Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

History

• The first nickel coin in the US was minted in 1866, featuring a design called the 'Shield nickel'.
• Nickel became common in U.S. coins during the Civil War due to the need for more change, replacing the half-dime.
• In 1942, due to metal shortages from World War II, nickels were made with different materials including silver.

Science

• Nickel is a chemical element with the symbol 'Ni', and it's classified as a transition metal in the periodic table.
• It has magnetic properties, making it useful in various electronic and industrial applications.
• Nickel is essential for the production of stainless steel, which contains about 8% nickel for durability and resistance to corrosion.

Pop Culture

• The phrase 'a nickel's worth of free advice' suggests that advice is often undervalued.
• In music, the term 'nickel' can refer to the sound of hitting a metal surface, often used in punk and rock genres.
• The artist Nicki Minaj plays on the word 'nickel' in her stage name, hinting at her wealth and prominence in the industry.

Economics

• Nickels help make up the base of the currency economy, playing a crucial role in everyday transactions.
• The value of nickels fluctuates with changes in materials; for instance, melted down, their metal composition can be worth more.
• In some games like Monopoly, nickels and other coins are used to teach kids about money management and value.

Main points about word origin

• The word comes from 'nickel' from the German 'Kupfernickel', meaning 'copper demon', referring to a mineral that looked like copper but wasn't.
• It was first used in English around the 18th century when the metal was identified.
• Despite its name, the nickel coin has had different compositions throughout history, including copper and nickel.

The term 'nickel' derives from the German word 'Kupfernickel', meaning 'false copper'. This name was given to a nickel ore in the 18th century that resembled copper ores but was not beneficial for extracting copper. The confusion led early miners to feel tricked, hence the use of 'nickel' as a reference to something misleading or worthless. The element itself was first isolated by Swedish chemist Axel Fredrik Cronstedt in 1751. The use of nickel in coinage began in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, where the five-cent piece became known as a 'nickel'. Today, nickel is essential in various industries, including electronics and electroplating, due to its unique properties.

At #5,384 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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• 5381 scholar
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• 5384 nickel
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