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VANADIUM (n. pl. -S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) a soft, silvery-white, metallic element (symbol V), used especially in alloys, catalysts, and rust-resistant tools
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: (none)
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: VANADIC (adj.), VANADOUS (adj.), VANADATE (n.), VANADIATE (n.)
Epilogue:
The Swedish chemist who named this element noted its tendency to appear in compounds of various and beautiful colors. He thus formed the word after Vanadis, one of the alternate names for the deity better known as Freyja, the Norse goddess of love, fertility, and beauty. VANADIUM’s chemical symbol is V, and it remains the only element beginning with that letter of the alphabet.
Incidentally, the goddess Freyja is closely associated with, and may share historical roots with, the Norse deity Frigg, wife of Odin and goddess of love, marriage, and motherhood. We memorialize her every week, in the form of the day named after her: Old English frigedaeig became Middle English fridai (and several other creative spellings) and eventually settled down as our modern word Friday.
Happy Friday!
Recapping this week’s words: TANTALUM, ANTIMONY, ARGON, and VANADIUM
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