An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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A soft, ductile, silver-grey metal; symbol V. → Atomic number 23; → atomic weight 50.9415; → melting point about 1,890°C; → boiling point 3,380°C; → specific gravity about 6 at 20°C; and → valence +2,+3, +4, or +5. → It is used in various alloys to increase its shock resistance.

Named 1830 by Swedish chemist Nils Gabriel Sefström (1787-1845), from Old Norse Vanadis, epithet of the goddess Freya, + → -ium.