neodymium

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: ne=o=dym=i=um

CIDE DICTIONARY

neodymium, n. [NL. Dee Neo-, and Didymium.].

 The chemical element of atomic number 60, one of the rare earth elements. Symbol Nd. Atomic weight 144.27.
"It is a rare metallic element occurring in combination with cerium, lanthanum, and other rare metals, and forming amethyst-colored salts. It was originally thought to be part of a supposed new element didymium, obtained from cerite in 1843. Later this was resolved into two elements, neodymium and praesodymium by von Welsbach in 1885. It is chiefly trivalent. It is a faintly yellow metal."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

neodymium, n. Chem. a silver-grey naturally-occurring metallic element of the lanthanide series used in colouring glass etc.

Usage

Symb.: Nd.

Etymology

NEO- + DIDYMIUM