amalgam

[ uh-mal-guhm ]

noun

1. an alloy of mercury with another metal or metals.
2. an alloy that consists chiefly of silver mixed with mercury and variable amounts of other metals and is used as a dental filling.
3. a rare mineral, an alloy of silver and mercury, occurring as silver-white crystals or grains.
4. a mixture or combination:

   His character is a strange amalgam of contradictory traits.

amalgam

/ əˈmælɡəm /

noun

1. an alloy of mercury with another metal, esp with silver

   dental amalgam

2. a rare white metallic mineral that consists of silver and mercury and occurs in deposits of silver and cinnabar
3. a blend or combination

amalgam

/ ə-măl′gəm /

1. An alloy of mercury and another metal, especially:
2. An alloy of mercury and silver used in dental fillings.
3. An alloy of silver and tin used in silvering mirrors.

Word History and Origins

Origin of amalgam¹

1425–75; late Middle English amalgam ( e ) < Middle French < Medieval Latin < dialectal Arabic al the + malgham < Greek málagma softening agent, equivalent to malak- (stem of malássein to soften) + -ma noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of amalgam¹

C15: from Medieval Latin amalgama, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

As for human creativity, we ourselves are an amalgam of bones, muscles, arteries, and veins.

From Nautilus

Because sewage is an amalgam of all types of human waste, the challenge for any scientist keen on analyzing it is to develop the right probe for snatching out just what they are looking for.

From Time

With a Woodstock’s-worth of sociopolitical observations belted out to bruising electro beats accompanied by moody synth vibes,’ the series of recently released songs are an odd amalgam of poignant reflections and sheer abandon.

From No Straight News

Much like his introduction, Kearney’s conclusion reads less like a call to action and more like an amalgam of previously known information.

From Washington Post

Stellantis will be an amalgam of model lines with enviable positions in certain segments, but neither company has much of a foothold in the luxury-car business or China’s vast auto market.

From Fortune

Spall says that, faced with the contradictions in the research, they created an amalgam of them.

From The Daily Beast

Well, it was based on an amalgam of bands—Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Motley Crue, Judas Priest, and Van Halen.

From The Daily Beast

The rest of the night was a restless amalgam of anxiety and adrenaline.

From The Daily Beast

The speech began as an amalgam of scare tactics and bipartisan appeal.

From The Daily Beast

The struggling technology company is an amalgam of businesses that could be worth more separately than they are together.

From The Daily Beast

If the metal to be cleansed is gold, you will see a pasty mass or amalgam, as it is called, of a yellowish tinge.

From Project Gutenberg

In a few seconds the new compound (ammonium amalgam) of the consistence of butter is formed.

From Project Gutenberg

Compounded or blended with quicksilver; formed into an amalgam.

From Project Gutenberg

Looking-glasses are covered on the back with an amalgam of mercury and tin.

From Project Gutenberg

Make an amalgam, without heat, of two drachms of leaf silver with one drachm of quicksilver.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• admixture
• alloy
• amalgamation