cadmium
UK: ˈkædmiəm | US: ˈkædmiəm
n. a soft, bluish-white metallic element (symbol Cd), used in batteries and pigments.
The word "cadmium" originates from the Latin cadmia, a term for calamine (a zinc ore), which itself derives from the Greek kadmeia (Καδμεία), named after Cadmus, the mythical founder of Thebes. The element was discovered in 1817 by German chemist Friedrich Stromeyer as an impurity in zinc carbonate. The suffix -ium marks it as a metallic element, following the naming convention for metals (e.g., sodium, magnesium).
Cadmium is commonly used in rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries.
Exposure to cadmium can pose serious health risks.
The artist avoided paints containing cadmium due to their toxicity.
Industrial wastewater often contains traces of cadmium.
Researchers are developing alternatives to cadmium in solar panels.