-ium

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Etymology 1

From Latin -um, based on Latin terms for metals such as ferrum ("iron").

Suffix

1. (chemistry) Used to form the names of metal elements, after the style of early-named elements, as well as the isotopes of hydrogen.
2. (chemistry) Used to form the temporary systematic element name of a metallic or nonmetallic element which is postulated to exist, or which has been newly synthesized and has not yet been assigned a permanent name.
3. (chemistry) Used to form the name of polyatomic cations.
4. (by extension, humorous) Appended to common words to create scientific-sounding or humorous-sounding fictional substance names.

Etymology 2

Reanalysis from multiple Latin or New Latin compounds suffixed with -ium, whose function, among others, is to derive parasynthetic compounds.

Etymology 3

Reanalysis of Latin words suffixed with -tōrium, -ārium and -ium.

Etymology 4

Reanalysis of ammonium or from -onium of the same source.

Suffix

1. (pharmaceutical drug) Used to form names of quaternary ammonium compounds used as neuromuscular blocking agents, cholinergic agents, anticholinergic agents, antibacterials/antiseptics, or other agents.

   Alternative form: -onium

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