MOLYBDENUM

[mo.lyb.de.num] n [NL, fr. molybdena, a lead ore, molybdenite, molybdenum, fr. L molybdaena galena, fr. Gk molybdaina, fr. molybdos lead] (1816): a metallic element that resembles chromium and tungsten in many properties, is used esp. in strengthening and hardening steel, and is a trace element in plant and animal metabolism