A metalloid is a chemical element with properties that are in-between or a mixture of those of metals and non-metals, and which is considered to be difficult to classify unambiguously as either a metal or a non-metal. There is no universally agreed or rigorous definition of a metalloid. Classifying any particular element as such has been described as 'arbitrary'. The term was first popularly used to refer to non-metals. Its more recent meaning as a category of intermediate or hybrid elements did not become widespread until the period 1940-1960. The six elements commonly recognized as metalloids are boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony and tellurium. They or their compounds find uses in glasses, alloys or semiconductors. So, boron behaves chemically with both metals and non-metals.