gadolinium

[ gad-l-in-ee-uhm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a rare-earth metallic element. : Gd; : 157.25; : 64.

gadolinium

/ ˌɡædəˈlɪnɪəm /

noun

1. a ductile malleable silvery-white ferromagnetic element of the lanthanide series of metals: occurs principally in monazite and bastnaesite. Symbol: Gd; atomic no: 64; atomic wt: 157.25; valency: 3; relative density: 7.901; melting pt: 1313±°C; boiling pt: 3273°C (approx.)

gadolinium

/ găd′l-ĭn′ē-əm /

1. A silvery-white, malleable, ductile metallic element of the lanthanide series that has seven natural isotopes and 11 artificial isotopes. Two of the natural isotopes, Gd 155 and Gd 157, are the best known neutron absorbers. Gadolinium is used to improve the heat and corrosion resistance of iron, chromium, and various alloys and in medicine as a contrast medium for magnetic resonance imaging and as a radioisotope in bone mineral analysis. 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.
2. See Periodic Table

Derived Forms

• ˌgadoˈlinic, adjective

Other Words From

• gado·linic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gadolinium¹

First recorded in 1885–90; gadolinite, -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of gadolinium¹

C19: New Latin, from gadolinite

Example Sentences

However, they had enough old Federation-period textbooks still in microprint to know what could be done with gadolinium.

From Project Gutenberg

Gadolinium was essential to hyperdrive engines; the engines of a ship the size of the Nemesis required fifty pounds of it.

From Project Gutenberg

Her captain wanted fissionables and gadolinium; Count Lionel was building more ships.

From Project Gutenberg

Hey, you're not thinking of selling Amaterasu plutonium and Beowulf gadolinium, are you?

From Project Gutenberg