noun
cadmium
CAD-mee-um/ˈkædmiəm/
A soft, bluish-white, toxic metallic chemical element.
The sealed sample contains soft, bluish-white cadmium metal.
Etymology
Cadmia referred to mineral earths and oxides, especially zinc carbonate; its name connects them with Thebes and its legendary founder Cadmus. The metal's name adds the ending used for metallic elements.
In context
cadmium was used for a long time as a corrosion resistant plating on steel and cadmium compounds are used as red orange and yellow pigments to color glass
More examples
- The laboratory tested the soil for cadmium.
- Some older rechargeable batteries contain cadmium.
- The manufacturer restricted cadmium because of its toxicity.
Forms
cadmium
Similar words
- zinc
- A different metallic element often associated with cadmium in ores.