† ˈlithion Chem.
[mod.L., as if Gr. λίθειον, neut. of λίθειος adj., stony, f. λίθος stone; the name was proposed in 1818 by Berzelius for the fixed alkali discovered by Arfwedsson in 1817, to designate its mineral origin, the two previously known being of vegetable origin.]
An earlier name for lithia1.
| 1818 W. Phillips Outl. Min. & Geol. (ed. 3) Advt., Of the new fixed Alkali, Lithion. 1825 Amer. Jrnl. Sci. IX. 330 A very useful test for lithion. 1826 Henry Elem. Chem. I. 572 To distinguish it from the two other fixed alkalis, both of vegetable origin, it received the name of lithion, (from λίθειος, lapideus;) and this term, to suit the analogy of the other alkalis, was afterwards converted into lithia or lithina. |
| attrib. 1856 Qly. Jrnl. Geol. Soc. XII. ii. 11 The metallic base of the lithion-alkali. Ibid. Petalite, Lithion-spodumen [etc.]. |