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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Neodymium \Ne'o*dym"i*um\, noun [NL. Dee {Neo-}, and {Didymium}.] (Chem.) The chemical element of atomic number 60, one of the rare earth elements. Symbol Nd. Atomic weight 144.27.
Note: It is a rare metallic element occurring in combination with cerium, lanthanum, and other rare metals, and forming amethyst-colored salts. It was originally thought to be part of a supposed new element didymium, obtained from cerite in 1843. Later this was resolved into two elements, neodymium and praesodymium by von Welsbach in 1885. It is chiefly trivalent. It is a faintly yellow metal. [1913 Webster +PJC]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
neodymium
noun: a yellow trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs in monazite and bastnasite in association with cerium and lanthanum and praseodymium [syn: {Nd}, {atomic number 60}]
From Elements database 20001107 [elements]:
neodymium Symbol: Nd Atomic number: 60 Atomic weight: 144.24 Soft bright silvery metallic element, belongs to the lanthanoids. Seven natural isotopes, Nd-144 being the only radioactive one with a half-life of 10^10 to 10^15 years. Six artificial radioisotopes have been produced. The metal is used in glass works to color class a shade of violet-purple and make it dichroic. One of the more reactive rare-earth metals, quickly reacts with air. Used in some rare-earth alloys. Neodymium is used to color the glass used in welder's glasses. Neodymium is also used in very powerful, permanent magnets (Nd2Fe14B). Discovered by Carl F. Auer von Welsbach in Austria in 1885 by separating didymium into its elemental components {praseodymium} and neodymium. The name comes from the Greek words "neos didymos" which means "new twin". Neodymium should be considered highly toxic, however evidence would seem to show that it acts as little more than a skin and eye irritant. The dust however, presents a fire and explosion hazard.
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