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palladium

(pə lā′dē əm)

noun

a rare, silver-white, ductile, malleable chemical element, one of the platinum metals: it is used as a catalyst, esp. in hydrogenation processes, or in alloys with gold, silver, and other metals: symbol, Pd; at. no., 46

Origin: ModL: so named (1803) by W. H. Wollaston (see wollastonite), after the recently discovered asteroid Pallas + -ium

noun pl. Palladia

in ancient Greece and Rome, any statue of the Greek goddess Pallas Athena; specif., the legendary statue in Troy on the preservation of which the safety of the city was supposed to depend
anything supposed to ensure the safety of something; safeguard

Origin: L < Gr palladion, sacred statue or image, after Pallas

See palladium in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun Symbol Pd

A soft, ductile, steel-white, tarnish-resistant, metallic element occurring naturally with platinum, especially in gold, nickel, and copper ores. Because it can absorb large amounts of hydrogen, it is used as a purification filter for hydrogen and a catalyst in hydrogenation. It is alloyed for use in electric contacts, jewelry, nonmagnetic watch parts, and surgical instruments. Atomic number 46; atomic weight 106.4; melting point 1,552°C; boiling point 3,140°C; specific gravity 12.02 (20°C); valence 2, 3, 4. See Table at element.

Origin:

Origin: From Pallas (discovered at the same time as the element)

noun pl. pal·la·di·a (-dē-ə) or pal·la·di·ums

A safeguard, especially one viewed as a guarantee of the integrity of social institutions: the Bill of Rights, palladium of American civil liberties.
A sacred object that was believed to have the power to preserve a city or state possessing it.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English Palladion, a statue of Pallas Athena believed to protect Troy

Origin: , from Old French palladion

Origin: , from Latin Palladium

Origin: , from Greek Palladion

Origin: , from Pallas, Pallad-, Pallas Athena

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