Cerium
ETYM Named by Berzelius in 1803 from the asteroid Ceres, then just discovered (1801).
Malleable and ductile, gray, metallic element, symbol Ce, atomic number 58, atomic weight 140.12. It is the most abundant member of the lanthanide series, and is used in alloys, electronic components, nuclear fuels, and lighter flints. It was discovered 1804 by the Swedish chemists Jöns Berzelius and Wilhelm Hisinger (1766–1852), and, independently, by Martin Klaproth. The element was named for the then recently discovered asteroid Ceres.
A ductile gray metallic element of the lanthanide series; used in lighter flints; the most abundant of the rare-earth group; SYN. Ce, atomic number 58.