A chemical element of the rare-earth metals that is very magnetic at low temperatures, superconductive, and has the highest rate of neutron absorption of any element. Symbol Gd; at. Wt.157.25; at no. 64: sp.gr. 7.9004; melt, pt, 1313°C; boil pt., 3273°C

Occurs in gadolinite, xenotime, monazite, and residues from uranium ores. Found limited applications in nuclear technology and in ferromagnetic alloys.

Used in electronic componenets.

It was named by (1886) by P.E L. de Boisbaudran (1838-1912), Fr. chemist, and J.C.G de Marignac(1817-94), Swiss chemist, who had each isolated it in honor of J.Gadolin.