molybdenum

Meaning

Noun

• A chemical element (symbol Mo) with an atomic number of 42: a silvery metal, not found as a free element, used in steel alloys.
• A single atom of this element.

Origin

• From New Latin molybdaenum, from molybdaena, from Ancient Greek μολύβδαινα, from μόλυβδος, from an word cognate with Lydian 𐤪𐤠𐤭𐤦𐤥𐤣𐤠, from Proto-Indo-European, from a root *morkʷ-; -um.
• Attested since the last quarter of 18th century.