palladium

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“
The crown and the palladium are at stake!

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Definitions (14)

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  1. noun A soft, ductile, steel-white, tarnish-resistant, metallic element occurring naturally with platinum, especially in gold, nickel, and copper ores. Because it can absorb large amounts of hydrogen, it is used as a purification filter for hydrogen and a catalyst in hydrogenation. It is alloyed for use in electric contacts, jewelry, nonmagnetic watch parts, and surgical instruments. Atomic number 46; atomic weight 106.4; melting point 1,552°C; boiling point 3,140°C; specific gravity 12.02 (20°C); valence 2, 3, 4. See Table at element.
  2. noun A safeguard, especially one viewed as a guarantee of the integrity of social institutions: the Bill of Rights, palladium of American civil liberties.
  3. noun A sacred object that was believed to have the power to preserve a city or state possessing it.

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Examples (50)

  • For example, element 99, in the presence of air, was a more powerful oxidizing agent than platinum or palladium was a reducing agent, in the presence of hydrogen. —  JULY, 1953 VOL
  • Among other precious metals, spot platinum eased to $1,045.50 / 1,050.50 an ounce from $1,054, while palladium was at
  • This value was obtained by assuming that the precious metals recovered consisted of 60 percent silver and 40 percent gold, palladium, and platinum. —  Featured Articles - Encyclopedia of Earth
  • An exhibition of twelve platinum-palladium prints by Beth Dow on view @ Jen Bekman Gallery from April 9 - May 16, 2009. —  hustler of culture
  • Jen Bekman Gallery is pleased to present Ruins, an exhibition of twelve platinum-palladium prints by photographer Beth Dow. —  hustler of culture
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Etymologies (3)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. From Pallas (discovered at the same time as the element).
  2. Middle English Palladion, a statue of Pallas Athena believed to protect Troy, from Old French palladion, from Latin Palladium, from Greek Palladion, from Pallas, Pallad-, Pallas Athena.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. = French palladium = Spanish paladion (paladio, the metal) = Portuguese Italian palladio, from Latin Palladium, from Greek Παλλάδιον, a statue of Pallas (see def.), from Παλλάς (Παλλαδ-), Pallas (Minerva): see Pallas. In def. 3, recent, directly from Greek Παλλάς, Pallas.
 

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/pæˈleɪdiəm/
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