C18: from German, originally perhaps from the proper name, Wolfram, used pejoratively of tungsten because it was thought inferior to tin
wolfram in American English
(ˈwʊlfrəm)
noun
1.
wolframite
2.
tungsten
Word origin
Ger, orig., pejorative term < wolf, wolf + MHG ram, dirt (akin to OE romig, dirty < IE base *rēmo-, dark > Sans rāmá-, black): prob. because considered of little value in comparison to tin
Examples of 'wolfram' in a sentence
wolfram
Even their precious uranium will be thrown at the enemy now that the wolfram supply has been closed off.