Word Study
lithium
CIDE DICTIONARY
lithium, n. [NL., from Gr. li`qeios of stone, fr. li`qos stone.].
A metallic element of the alkaline group, occurring in several minerals, as petalite, spodumene, lepidolite, triphylite, etc., and otherwise widely disseminated, though in small quantities. [1913 Webster]
" When isolated it is a soft, silver white metal, tarnishing and oxidizing very rapidly in the air. It is the lightest solid element known, specific gravity being 0.59. Symbol Li. Atomic weight 7.0 So called from having been discovered in a mineral." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
lithium, n. Chem. a soft silver-white metallic element, the lightest metal, used in alloys and in batteries.
Usage
Symb.: Li.
Etymology
LITHIA + -IUM
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