Au
/ˌeɪˈjuː/noun
The chemical symbol for gold, the metallic element with atomic number 79.
Did you know?In alchemy, gold was associated with the Sun, and its traditional symbol was a circle with a central point—the same symbol used for the Sun in astrology.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European (proposed)
PIE
*h₂ews-
“To dawn or glow; this proposed root may connect gold’s Latin name with the radiance of sunrise.”
Proto-Italic
Proto-Italic
*ausom
“Gold; a reconstructed ancestor of the Latin term.”
Classical Latin
Latin
aurum
“Gold, the precious yellow metal.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
aurum
“Gold, preserved in scientific, medical, and alchemical writing.”
1817
English chemistry
Au
“The standardized chemical symbol derived from Latin aurum.”
Modern English
English
Au
“The symbol for gold in the periodic table.”