lithium

Definition

The simplest alkali metal, the lightest solid element, and the third lightest chemical element (symbol Li) with an atomic number of 3 and atomic weight of 6.94. It is a soft, silvery metal.

Etymology

From New Latin lithium, from Ancient Greek λίθος (líthos, “stone”) + -ium.

Example Sentences

• "The importance of lithium-ion batteries makes lithium a potentially strategic natural resource."
• "Already, beautiful places are being wrecked by an electric vehicle resource rush. Lithium mining, for example, is now poisoning rivers and depleting groundwater from Tibet to Bolivia."
• "It seems like his moods are better since he started taking lithium."

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