An artificial radioactive element of the halogen series; atomic no. 85, atomic wt. 211. [G. astatos, unstable]
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as·ta·tine 'as-tə-.tēn n a radioactive halogen element discovered by bombarding bismuth with helium nuclei and also formed by radioactive decay symbol At called also ekaiodine see ELEMENT (table)
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as·ta·tine (At) (asґtə-tēn) [Gr. astatos unstable] the radioactive element of atomic number 85, atomic weight 210. It is prepared by alpha particle bombardment of bismuth on the cyclotron. It has a half-life of 75 hours and may be of use in the treatment of hyperthyroidism.Medical dictionary. 2011.