molybdenum

[ muh-lib-duh-nuh m ]

/ məˈlɪb də nəm /

noun Chemistry.

a silver-white metallic element, used as an alloy with iron in making hard, high-speed cutting tools. Symbol: Mo; atomic weight: 95.94; atomic number: 42; specific gravity: 10.2.

Origin of molybdenum

1810–20; < New Latin, alteration of earlier molybdēna < Latin molybdaena < Greek molýbdaina galena, equivalent to mólybd(os) lead + -aina suffix of appurtenance

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for molybdenum

Molybdenum high-speed steel is more expensive than tungsten high-speed steel, but is said to wear better.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 1|Various
Several metallic compounds possess a blue colour; especially those of iron, cobalt, and molybdenum.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines|Andrew Ure
Production of molybdenum in this country practically began in 1914.
The Economic Aspect of Geology|C. K. Leith
Molybdenum blue is a combination of this metal, and oxide of tin or phosphate of lime.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines|Andrew Ure

(a.) Molybdenum (Mo) occurs in the metallic state; also combined with sulphur, or as molybdic acid combined with lead.
A System of Instruction in the Practical Use of the Blowpipe|Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for molybdenum

molybdenum

/ (mɒˈlɪbdɪnəm) /

noun

a very hard ductile silvery-white metallic element occurring principally in molybdenite: used mainly in alloys, esp to harden and strengthen steels. Symbol: Mo; atomic no: 42; atomic wt: 95.94; valency: 2–6; relative density: 10.22; melting pt: 2623°C; boiling pt: 4639°C

Word Origin for molybdenum

C19: from New Latin, from Latin molybdaena galena, from Greek molubdaina, from molubdos lead

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for molybdenum

molybdenum

metallic element, 1816, from molybdena, used generally for lead-like minerals, from Greek molybdos "lead," also "black graphite," related to Latin plumbum "lead" (see plumb (n.)), and like it probably borrowed from a lost Mediterranean language, perhaps Iberian. The element so called because of its resemblance to lead ore.

Medicine definitions for molybdenum

molybdenum

[ mə-lĭb′də-nəm ]

n. Symbol Mo

A hard metallic element that is an essential trace element in plant and animal nutrition. Atomic number 42.

Science definitions for molybdenum

molybdenum

[ mə-lĭb′də-nəm ]

Mo

A hard, silvery-white metallic element that resists corrosion and retains its strength at high temperatures. It is used to harden and toughen steel and to make high-temperature wiring. Molybdenum is an essential trace element in plant metabolism. Atomic number 42; atomic weight 95.96; melting point 2,623°C; boiling point 4,639°C; specific gravity 10.22 (at 20°C); valence 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. See Periodic Table.