Chem. [f. CADMIA calamine, the common ore of zinc, with which this metal is generally associated. The ending is that of other names of metals, as sodium, etc.]
A bluish-white metal, in its physical qualities resembling tin, found in small quantities chiefly in zinc ores. Symbol Cd.
1822. Imison, Sc. & Art, II. 122. Cadmium … was discovered by M. Stromeyer in 1817, in ores of Zinc.
1863. Watts, Dict. Chem. (1879), I. 702. The only pure native compound of cadmium is the sulphide, called Greenockite.
1869. Latest News, 10 Oct., 15. Cadmium is obtained for commercial purposes, from zinc ores and furnace deposits.
b. attrib. = CADMIC, as in Cadmium oxide, sulphide, etc., cadmium compounds; cadmium yellow, an intense yellow pigment, consisting of cadmium sulphide, artificially prepared.
1873. Fownes, Chem., 395. Cadmium oxide is infusible.
1879. Rood, Chromatics, xi. 180. Bright yellow pigments, such as … chrome-yellow, cadmium-yellow.
