Relating to or containing niobium (columbium) in its lower oxidation state, typically +3 instead of +5.
From 'columbium' (niobium's former name) + the chemical suffix '-ous' indicating a lower oxidation state. Used in chemistry to distinguish different forms of metal compounds.
The '-ous' vs '-ic' suffix system in chemistry is like a code: it tells you the oxidation state without saying numbers, so 'columbous' means 'niobium with fewer oxygen atoms' at a glance.
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