Old English gold, from Proto-Germanic *gulth- (cf. Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Old High German gold, German Gold, Middle Dutch gout, Dutch goud, Old Norse gull, Danish guld, Gothic gulþ), from PIE root *ghel- "yellow, green," possibly ultimately "bright" (cf. Old Church Slavonic zlato, Russian zoloto, Sanskrit hiranyam, Old Persian daraniya-, Avestan zaranya- "gold;" see Chloe).
As an adjective from c.1200. In reference to the color of the metal, it is recorded from c.1400. Gold rush is attested from 1859, originally in an Australian context. Gold medal as first prize in a contest is from 1908.
gold (gōld)
n.
Symbol Au
A soft yellow element that resists corrosion and is the most malleable and ductile metal. A good thermal and electrical conductor, gold is generally alloyed to increase its strength. Atomic number 79; atomic weight 196.967; melting point 1,064.2°C; boiling point 2,856°C; specific gravity 19.3; valence 1, 3.
| gold Symbol Au A soft, shiny, yellow element that is the most malleable of all the metals. It occurs in veins and in alluvial deposits. Because it is very durable, resistant to corrosion, and a good conductor of heat and electricity, gold is used as a plated coating on electrical and mechanical components. It is also an international monetary standard and is used in jewelry and for decoration. Atomic number 79; atomic weight 196.967; melting point 1,063.0°C; boiling point 2,966.0°C; specific gravity 19.32; valence 1, 3. See Periodic Table. See Note at element. |
