In chemistry terms the difference between silicon and polysilicon
is that silicon is a nonmetallic element (symbol Si) with an atomic number of 14 and atomic weight of 28.0855 while polysilicon is containing many silicon atoms, especially when linked into chains or networks.
As an adjective polysilicon is
containing many silicon atoms, especially when linked into chains or networks.
silicon
Etymology 1
From the stem of (etyl) .
Noun
(-)
(chemistry) A nonmetallic element (symbol Si) with an atomic number of 14 and atomic weight of 28.0855.
Usage notes
Do not confuse silicon' with ' silicone .
Synonyms
* silicium (obsolete), silicum (obsolete)
Derived terms
* Cwm Silicon
* ekasilicon
* ferrosilicon
* float-zone silicon
* lithium-drifted silicon detector
* silico-
*
*
*
* silicon alkoxide
* Silicon Alley
* silicon-based
* silicon carbide
* silicon chip
* silicon controlled rectifier
* silicon dioxide
* silicon ester
* Silicon Fen
* Silicon Forest
* silicon germanide
* silicon germanium
* Silicon Glen
* Silicon Hills
* silicon hydride
* silicon iron
* siliconise, siliconize
* silicon oxide
* silicon photonics
* Silicon Prairie
* Silicon Sentier
* silicon steel
* silicon tetrachloride
* silicon tetrafluoride
* Silicon Valley
* Silicon Wadi
* silicon wafer
* strained silicon
Related terms
* silane
* silex
* silica
* silicate
* silice
* siliceous, silicious
* silici-
* silicic
* siliciferous
* silicified
* silicify
* silicisation, silicization
* silico-
* silicone
* silicosis
* silicotic
See also
* agate
* amethyst
* asbestos
* clay
* feldspar
* flint
* glass
* granite
* hornblende
* jasper
* mica
* opal
* quartz
* rock crystal
* sand
Etymology 2
From the silicon chips used in computers
Noun
(-)
(slang) computing
(slang) computer processor
polysilicon
English
Adjective
(
en adjective)
(chemistry) Containing many silicon atoms, especially when linked into chains or networks
Noun
(-)
(electronics) A polycrystalline form of silicon used in some solid-state devices
