Definition of "gadolinium" [gad•o•lin•i•um]

• A silvery-white, malleable, ductile, metallic rare-earth element obtained from monazite and bastnaesite and used in improving high-temperature characteristics of iron, chromium, and related alloys. Atomic number 64; atomic weight 157.25; melting point 1,312°C; boiling point approximately 3,000°C; specific gravity from 7.8 to 7.896; valence 3. See Table at element. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The most effective and common of these clinical agents contain a toxic metal called gadolinium, that is sequestered by wrapping the metal in organic molecules called chelates."
• "The most effective and common of these clinical agents contain a toxic metal called gadolinium, which is sequestered by wrapping the metal in organic molecules called chelates."
• "The FDA said that drugs known as gadolinium-based contrast agents will carry new warnings on their labels about the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis if the drugs are administered to certain patients with kidney disease."