lithium Chem.
(ˈlɪθɪəm)
[f. lithia1: see -ium.]
A metallic element of the alkaline group occurring in small quantities in various minerals.
| 1818 Jrnl. Sci. & Arts V. 338 The chloride of lithium..is a white semi-transparent body. 1819 Brande Man. Chem. 201 A..substance is separated, which may be called lithium, the term lithia being applied to its oxide. 1851 Richardson Geol. v. 81 Three metallic bases of the alkalis—potassium, sodium, and lithium. 1873 Watts Fownes' Chem. (ed. 11) 69 Lithium shows a bright brilliant line in the red. |
| attrib. 1871 Roscoe Elem. Chem. 213 The lithium salts were formerly supposed to be very rare. 1873 C. H. Ralfe Phys. Chem. 99 Twenty grains of lithium carbonate. |