ormolu

American  

[awr-muh-loo] / ˈɔr məˌlu /

noun

1. Also called mosaic gold.  an alloy of copper and zinc used to imitate gold.

2. Also called bronze doré,.  Also called gilt bronze.  gilded metal, especially cast brass or bronze gilded over fire with an amalgam of gold and mercury, used for furniture mounts and ornamental objects.

3. gold or gold powder prepared for use in gilding.

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ormolu British  

/ ˈɔːməˌluː /

noun

1. 1. a gold-coloured alloy of copper, tin, or zinc used to decorate furniture, mouldings, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      an ormolu clock

2. gold prepared to be used for gilding

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Etymology

Origin of ormolu

1755–65; < French or moulu ground gold, equivalent to or (< Latin aurum ) + moulu, past participle of moudre to grind < Latin molere

Example Sentences

Ormolu or gilt bronze mounts, formed one of the great decorations of furniture.

From Furnishing the Home of Good Taste A Brief Sketch of the Period Styles in Interior Decoration with Suggestions as to Their Employment in the Homes of Today by Throop, Lucy Abbot

Ormolu, or′mo-lōō, n. an alloy of copper, zinc, and tin: gilt or bronzed metallic ware: gold-leaf prepared for gilding bronze, &c.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

Ormolu, damask hangings, and Sévres china were not familiar to them; but they had never lacked anything that is needed for the comfort of the first-class clerical world.

From The Claverings by Trollope, Anthony

One wonders sometimes whether ornamental French Ormolu clocks have any works, or are solid throughout.

From The Incomplete Amorist by Nesbit, E. (Edith)

Ormolu, a name given to bronze or brass of a golden-yellow colour, and resembling gold.

From The Nuttall Encyclopædia Being a Concise and Comprehensive Dictionary of General Knowledge by Nuttall, P. Austin