lanthanum, Metallic chemical element, one of the transition elements, chemical symbol La, atomic number 57. It was discovered in 1839, and its name derives from the Greek for “to lie hidden.” Lanthanum is a ductile and malleable silvery white metal, soft enough to be cut with a knife. Highly purified lanthanum oxide is an ingredient in the manufacture of low-dispersion, high-refraction glasses for lens components.
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