Word Study
vanadium
CIDE DICTIONARY
vanadium, n. [NL., fr. Icel. Vanadīs, a surname of the Scandinavian goddess Freya.].
A rare element of the nitrogen-phosphorus group, found combined, in vanadates, in certain minerals, and reduced as an infusible, grayish-white metallic powder. It is intermediate between the metals and the non-metals, having both basic and acid properties. Symbol V (or Vd, rarely). Atomic weight 50.94 (C12=12.000). [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
vanadium, n. Chem. a hard grey metallic transition element occurring naturally in several ores and used in small quantities for strengthening some steels.
Usage
Symb.: V.
Derivative
vanadate n. vanadic adj. vanadous adj.
Etymology
mod.L f. ON Vanad{iacute}s name of the Scand. goddess Freyja + -IUM
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