cadmium
/ˈkadmɪəm
/noun [mass noun]
The chemical element of atomic number 48, a silvery-white metal. (Symbol: Cd) These elements include mercury, bromine, cadmium, indium, thallium, lead, and bismuth....
- New processing methods are outlined from which potassium, sodium, barium, strontium and cadmium were discovered.
- And with toxic metals like cadmium, mercury and lead, it's the same story.
Cadmium occurs naturally in zinc ores and is obtained as a by-product of zinc smelting. It is used as a component in alloys with a low melting point and as a corrosion-resistant coating on other metals.
Origin
Early 19th century: from Latin cadmia 'calamine', so named because it is found with calamine in zinc ore. Compare with calamine.