Cadmium is a soft bluish-white metal that is used in the production of nuclear energy.
cadmium in British English
(ˈkædmɪəm)
noun
a malleable ductile toxic bluish-white metallic element that occurs in association with zinc ores. It is used in electroplating, alloys, and as a neutron absorber in the control of nuclear fission. Symbol: Cd; atomic no: 48; atomic wt: 112.411; valency: 2; relative density: 8.65; melting pt: 321.1°C; boiling pt: 767°C
Word origin
C19: from New Latin, from Latin cadmīa zinc ore, calamine, referring to the fact that both calamine and cadmium are found in the ore
cadmium in American English
(ˈkædmiəm)
noun
a silver-white, malleable, ductile, metallic chemical element occurring as a sulfideor carbonate in zinc ores: it is used in some low-melting alloys, electroplating, rechargeablebatteries, etc.: highly toxic dust or fumes: symbol, Cd; at. no., 48
Derived forms
cadmic (ˈcadmic) (ˈkædmɪk)
adjective
Word origin
ModL < L cadmia, zinc ore < Gr kadmeia (gē), Cadmean (earth) (so called because found near Thebes, home of Cadmus) + -ium: so named (1817) by F. Strohmeyer (1776-1835), Ger chemist, because frequently foundassoc. with zinc
Word lists with
cadmium
chemical
All related terms of 'cadmium'
cadmium cell
a photocell with a cadmium electrode that is especially sensitive to ultraviolet radiation
cadmium sulfide
a toxic pigment , CdS, varying from lemon yellow ( cadmium yellow ) to yellowish orange ( cadmium orange ) and used in paints, photocells , semiconductors , etc.
cadmium yellow
a very vivid yellow containing cadmium sulphide
cadmium sulphide
an orange or yellow insoluble solid used as a pigment in paints , etc ( cadmium yellow ). Formula: CdS
Weston standard cell
a primary cell used as a standard of emf, producing 1.018636 volts : consists of a mercury anode and a cadmium amalgam cathode in an electrolyte of saturated cadmium sulphate