ni|o|bi|um

ni|o|bi|um «ny OH bee uhm», noun.

a white or steel-gray chemical element that is found in nature with tantalum. It is a lustrous, metallic substance that resembles tantalum in chemical properties and is used in making stainless steel and in other alloys. Formerly called columbium.

╂[< Net Latin niobium < Latin Niobē < Greek Niobē, daughter of Tantalus (because it occurs with tantalum)]