(Anglo-Saxon, iron; L. ferrum) Iron is known to be in use since prehistoric times, it is mentioned in the bible and a iron pillar dated about A.D. 400 stands in Delhi, India. Iron is abundant in the universe, is found in the sun and other stars and meteorites. The core of the earth is supposedly made up largely of iron. On earth, iron is the fourth most abundant element by mass. The black sands along beaches are due to iron minerals.
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highly reactive,transition metal, rapidly corrodes (esp. in air and water) silvery, lustrous, magnetic properties
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alloyed with carbon or other metals to produce steel, it is the cheapest and most abundant and important of all metals, essential for animal and plant life, lends magnetic nature to the earth