Chem. [f. LITHIA1: see -IUM.] A metallic element of the alkaline group occurring in small quantities in various minerals.
1818. Jrnl. Sci. & Arts, V. 338. The chloride of lithium … is a white semi-transparent body.
1819. Brande, Man. Chem., 201. A … substance is separated, which may be called lithium, the term lithia being applied to its oxide.
1851. Richardson, Geol., v. 81. Three metallic bases of the alkalis—potassium, sodium, and lithium.
1873. Watts, Fownes’ Chem. (ed. 11), 69. Lithium shows a bright brilliant line in the red.
attrib. 1871. Roscoe, Elem. Chem., 213. The lithium salts were formerly supposed to be very rare.
1873. Ralfe, Phys. Chem., 99. Twenty grains of lithium carbonate.
