lithium
|lith-i-um|
/ˈlɪθiəm/
metal from stone
Etymology
'lithium' originates from Neo-Latin 'lithium', ultimately from Ancient Greek 'λίθος' ('lithos'), meaning 'stone'.
'lithium' was coined in modern chemical nomenclature in the early 19th century (by Swedish chemist Johan August Arfwedson, 1817) from Neo-Latin/Greek roots; it entered English as the name for the element and its compounds.
Initially named for its discovery in a mineral ('stone'), the term came to denote the chemical element itself and its compounds, and later also the medical use of lithium salts as a treatment.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a chemical element, atomic number 3: a soft, silvery-white alkali metal found in some minerals; used in batteries and other industrial applications.
The electric car uses a battery that contains lithium for high energy density.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a medication (typically lithium carbonate or lithium salts) used as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder and some other psychiatric conditions.
The psychiatrist prescribed lithium to help stabilize the patient's mood swings.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/22 11:35