rubidium,
n. [NL., fr. L.
rubidus red, fr.
rubere to be red. So called from two
dark red spectroscopic lines by means of which it was discovered in the lepidolite from Rozena, Moravia. See
Rubicund.].
A rare metallic element of the alkali metal series, atomic number 37. It occurs quite widely, but in small quantities, and always combined. It is isolated as a soft yellowish white metal, analogous to potassium in most of its properties. Symbol Rb. Atomic weight, 85.48. [1913 Webster]