molybdenum
/məˈlɪbdənəm
/noun [mass noun]
The chemical element of atomic number 42, a brittle silver-grey metal of the transition series, used in some alloy steels. (Symbol: Mo) The corresponding loss in yield strength is compensated by alloying with vanadium, nitrogen, chromium, molybdenum, and titanium....
- Vanadium, molybdenum, niobium, titanium, chromium, nickel, manganese are but a few of the many metals which make their way into steel to yield alloys with special properties.
- Common hydroprocessing catalysts consist of an aluminum oxide carrier on to which the metals molybdenum and nickel or cobalt are added.
Origin
Early 19th century: modern Latin, earlier molybdena (originally denoting a salt of lead), from Greek molubdaina 'plummet', from molubdos 'lead'.