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gadolinium

(gad′ō lin′ē əm)

noun

a chemical element, one of the rare-earth elements, that is highly magnetic at low temperatures, superconductive, and has the highest rate of neutron absorption of any element: symbol, Gd; at. no., 64

Origin: ModL, earlier gadolinia: so named (1886) by P. E. L. de Boisbaudran (1838-1912), Fr chemist, and J.-C. G. de Marignac (1817-94), Swiss chemist, who had each isolated it, in honor of J. Gadolin (see gadolinite) + -ium

See gadolinium in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun Symbol Gd

A silvery-white, malleable, ductile, metallic rare-earth element obtained from monazite and bastnaesite and used in improving high-temperature characteristics of iron, chromium, and related alloys. Atomic number 64; atomic weight 157.25; melting point 1,312°C; boiling point approximately 3,000°C; specific gravity from 7.8 to 7.896; valence 3. See Table at element.

Origin:

Origin: After Johan Gadolin (1760-1852), Finnish chemist

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