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lithium

 - 6 dictionary results

lith⋅i⋅um

[lith-ee-uhm]
–noun
1. Chemistry. a soft, silver-white metallic element, the lightest of all metals, occurring combined in certain minerals. Symbol: Li; atomic weight: 6.939; atomic number: 3; specific gravity: 0.53 at 20°C.
2. Pharmacology. the substance in its carbonate or citrate form used in the treatment or prophylaxis of bipolar disorder or mania.

Origin:
1810–20; < NL; see lith-, -ium
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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lith·i·um   (lĭth'ē-əm)   
n.   Symbol Li
  1. A soft, silvery, highly reactive metallic element that is used as a heat transfer medium, in thermonuclear weapons, and in various alloys, ceramics, and optical forms of glass. Atomic number 3; atomic weight 6.941; melting point 179°C; boiling point 1,317°C; specific gravity 0.534; valence 1. See Table at element.

  2. Any of several salts of lithium, especially lithium carbonate.


[From lithia.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

lithium 
silver-white metallic element, 1818, coined in Mod.L. by Swed. chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius (1779-1848) from Gk. lithos "stone," from its mineral origin and to distinguish it from two previously known alkalis of vegetable origin.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: lith·i·um
Pronunciation: 'lith-E-&m
Function: noun
1 : a soft silver-white element of the alkali metal group that isthe lightest metal known and that is used in chemical synthesis and in storage batteries —symbol Li; —see ELEMENT table
2 : a lithium salt and especially lithium carbonate used in psychiatric medicine
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

lithium lith·i·um (lĭth'ē-əm)
n.
Symbol Li
A soft, highly reactive metallic element. Atomic number 3; atomic weight 6.941; melting point 180°C; boiling point 1,342°C; specific gravity 0.534; valence 1.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
lithium   (lĭth'ē-əm)  Pronunciation Key 
Symbol Li
A soft, silvery metallic element of the alkali group that occurs in small amounts in some minerals. It is the lightest of all metals and is highly reactive. Lithium is used to make alloys, batteries, glass for large telescopes, and ceramics. Atomic number 3; atomic weight 6.941; melting point 179°C; boiling point 1,317°C; specific gravity 0.534; valence 1. See Periodic Table.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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