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
Words nearby molybdenum
molybdate,
molybdate orange,
molybdenite,
molybdenosis,
molybdenous,
molybdenum,
molybdenum disulfide,
molybdenum trioxide,
molybdic,
molybdous,
mom
Example sentences from the Web for molybdenum
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
Medical 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.
Scientific 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.