cobalt

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the chemical element with atomic number 27, a hard silvery-blue metal used in alloys, batteries, magnets, and pigments

   The battery cathode contains cobalt as well as nickel and lithium.

2. 2
   noun

   a deep vivid blue color, originally associated with pigments made from cobalt compounds

   The butterfly's wing flashed a stripe of intense cobalt.

3. 3
   adj

   having a deep vivid blue color

   Cobalt tiles formed a bright border around the fountain.

Simplified etymology

Cobalt entered English in the late 17th century from German Kobalt, meaning “imp” or “demon.” German miners gave the troublesome ore this name because it occurred with desired silver ore and was believed to hinder its extraction.

From German Kobalt, an older form of Kobold ("goblin"). Miners blamed troublesome ores that yielded no expected metal and released poisonous arsenic fumes on underground spirits; the name later passed to the element isolated from such ores.

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