LITHIUM

lithium, Li, atomic number

(noun) a soft silver-white univalent element of the alkali metal group; the lightest metal known; occurs in several minerals

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

lithium (countable and uncountable, plural lithiums)

(uncountable) The simplest alkali metal, the lightest solid element, and the third lightest chemical element (symbol Li) with an atomic number of 3. It is a soft, silvery metal.

(countable) A single atom of this element.

(pharmaceutical drug, uncountable) Lithium carbonate or other preparations of lithium metal used to treat manic depression and bipolar disorders.

A lithium battery.

Etymology

From one of the place's two natural mineral springs containing lithium salts.

Proper noun

Lithium

A village in Missouri.

Source: Wiktionary

Lith"i*um, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Chem.)

Definition: 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.

Note: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition