Gadolinium

(So named in 1886 by Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran, French chemist, and Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac, Swiss chemist, who had each isolated it, in honor of Johan Gadolin) A chemical element, one of the rare-earth metals, that is highly magnetic at low temperatures, superconductive, and has the highest rate of neutron absorption of any element. Its alloys are used in making magnets and electronic components and in the recording heads of video recorders.

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Considering that Gadolin himself did not discover gadolinium, this is an exceptional honor. However, it is explained by Gadolin's pioneering work on rare-earth metals in general, which started with his discovery of yttrium. Hence one of these metals now carries the name of this Finnish chemist.

Gad`o*lin"i*um (?), n. [NL. See Gadolinite.] (Chem.)

A supposed rare metallic element, with a characteristic spectrum, found associated with yttrium and other rare metals. Its individuality and properties have not yet been determined.

© Webster 1913

Gad`o*lin"i*a (?), n. [NL. See Gadolinite.]

A rare earth associated with yttria and regarded as the oxide (Gd₂O₃) of a metallic element, Gad`o*lin"i*um (&?;), with an assigned atomic weight of 153.3.

© Webster 1913