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Cadmium: meaning, definitions and examples

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cadmium

 

[ ˈkæd.mi.əm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

chemical element

Cadmium is a chemical element with the symbol Cd and atomic number 48. It is a soft, bluish-white metal that is chemically similar to zinc and mercury. Cadmium is primarily used in batteries, pigments, and coatings. Due to its toxicity, cadmium must be handled with care, and exposure can lead to various health issues and environmental concerns.

Synonyms

CD, chemical element, toxic metal

Examples of usage

  • The battery industry often uses cadmium for rechargeable batteries.
  • Cadmium pigments provide vibrant colors in paints.
  • Proper disposal of cadmium-containing waste is crucial to prevent pollution.

Translations

Translations of the word "cadmium" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cádmio

🇮🇳 कैडमियम

🇩🇪 Cadmium

🇮🇩 kadmium

🇺🇦 кадмій

🇵🇱 kadm

🇯🇵 カドミウム

🇫🇷 cadmium

🇪🇸 cadmio

🇹🇷 kadmiyum

🇰🇷 카드뮴

🇸🇦 الكادميوم

🇨🇿 kadmium

🇸🇰 kadmium

🇨🇳 镉

🇸🇮 kadmij

🇮🇸 kadmíum

🇰🇿 кадмий

🇬🇪 კადმიუმი

🇦🇿 kadmium

🇲🇽 cadmio

Word origin

The term 'cadmium' is derived from the Latin word 'cadmia,' meaning 'calamine,' a zinc ore that was known in antiquity. Cadmium was discovered in 1817 by Swedish chemist Friedrich Stromeyer while he was experimenting with zinc and its compounds. Initially, cadmium's properties and potential applications were largely unrecognized, but by the late 19th century, its use in batteries and pigments began to rise. As industrial applications expanded, concerns over cadmium's toxicity and environmental impact grew, leading to regulations governing its use. This shift reflected an increased awareness of hazardous materials and the importance of health and safety in industrial practices.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,647, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.