Word Study
chromium
CIDE DICTIONARY
chromium, n. [NL., fr. Gr. color.].
A comparatively rare element occurring most abundantly in the mineral chromite. Atomic weight 52.5. Symbol Cr. When isolated it is a hard, brittle, grayish white metal, fusible with difficulty. Its chief commercial importance is for its compounds, as potassium chromate, lead chromate, etc., which are brilliantly colored and are used dyeing and calico printing. Called also chrome . [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
chromium, n. Chem. a hard white metallic transition element, occurring naturally as chromite and used as a shiny decorative electroplated coating.
Idiom
chromium steel = chrome steel.
Usage
Symb.: Cr.
Etymology
mod.L f. F CHROME
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