lithium

/ˈlɪθiəm/

/ˈlɪθiəm/

Lithium is a lightweight metal that's commonly used to make batteries. A compound made from this element, also called lithium, is a medication for treating bipolar disorder.

Lithium is the lightest and least dense of all the solid elements. It doesn't exist in nature outside of minerals, and it must be extracted in order to be used. In fact, it was named for this quality: the Greek root of lithium is lithos, or "stone." Lithium is used to remove impurities from metals, to make batteries, and in heat-resistant glass, among other things. Lithium salts, or lithium carbonate, can treat the symptoms of some mental illnesses.

Definitions of lithium

1. noun

   a soft silver-white univalent element of the alkali metal group; the lightest metal known; occurs in several minerals
   synonyms: Li, atomic number 3

   type of:

   metal, metallic element

   any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
2. noun

   a white powder (LiCO3) used in manufacturing glass and ceramics and as a drug; the drug (trade names Lithane or Lithonate or Eskalith) is used to treat some forms of depression and manic episodes of manic-depressive disorder
   synonyms: Eskalith, Lithane, Lithonate, lithium carbonate

   type of:

   antipsychotic, antipsychotic agent, antipsychotic drug, major tranquilizer, major tranquilliser, major tranquillizer, neuroleptic, neuroleptic agent, neuroleptic drug

   tranquilizer used to treat psychotic conditions when a calming effect is desired

   carbonate

   a salt or ester of carbonic acid (containing the anion CO3)