Chromium

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkɹoʊ.mi.əm/

Definitions

1. A hard, silvery-white metallic element used in stainless steel and for decorative plating on other metals
2. A chemical element that is a transition metal known for its high shine and resistance to corrosion, commonly used in alloys and plating applications
3. This silvery metal is recognized for its hardness and durability, primarily utilized in the production of stainless steel and various metal finishes

Etymology: Chromium is named for its colors, which is about the most literal naming a metal could get. The element's compounds show an unusually wide palette: chromium salts can be green, yellow, orange and red, and the metal's name comes from the Greek "khrôma," meaning "color." The name passed through French as "chrome," and scientists then added the Latin suffix "-ium," the ending used for many metallic elements, to form "chromium" in New Latin. The point of the name is that the metal itself is silvery and not especially colorful; the color belongs to what it forms when combined with other substances. The metal was named for those compounds rather than for its own appearance, so the word describes the chemistry, not the shine.