cobalt
cobalt Lexical Profile
cobalt Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A hard, lustrous, silvery-blue metallic element (atomic number 27, symbol Co) used in magnetic alloys, high-strength superalloys, and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
"Global demand for cobalt has surged alongside the rapid expansion of electric vehicle manufacturing."
A deep, vivid blue pigment or color made from cobalt salts, widely used in paints, ceramics, and glassmaking.
"She mixed a touch of cobalt with white on her palette to paint the clear afternoon sky."
• adjective
Of a rich, vivid, deep blue color resembling that of cobalt pigment.
"The ceramicist glazed the vase in a striking cobalt hue that stood out against the white walls."
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 17th century from German Kobalt, a variant of Kobold ('goblin' or 'mountain sprite'), a name given by miners to the ore because it was difficult to smelt, yielded no silver, and released toxic arsenic fumes.