Chem. and Min. [f. TELLURIUM + -IC.] Derived from or containing tellurium. Applied to compounds in which tellurium is present in a smaller proportion than in tellurous compounds, as telluric acid, H2TeO4; telluric oxide = tellurium trioxide, TeO3, etc. Also in telluric gold, silver, bismuth, the tellurides of these metals occurring as native alloys: see TELLURIDE. Telluric ochre = TELLURITE 1.
1800. Henry, Epit. Chem. (1808), 253. Carbonated and pure alkalies precipitate the telluric oxide.
1842. Brande, Dict. Sc., etc., s.v. Tellurium, It forms a protoxide and a peroxide, often called tellurous and telluric acids.
1864. Webster, s.v., Telluric silver, a mineral consisting of tellurium and silver in combination.
1868. Dana, Min. (ed. 5), 30. Telluric Bismuth. Ibid., 50. Telluric Silver.
1873. Watts, Fownes’ Chem. (ed. 11), 214. Crystallised telluric acid is freely, although slowly, soluble in water.
1832. Rep. to Ho. Repr. Prec. Met. U.S., 607. I have only found, as yet, telluric gold in two mines in Nevada County.
