alloy

[al-oi, uh-loi, uh-loi]

noun

1. a substance composed of two or more metals, or of a metal or metals with a nonmetal, intimately mixed, as by fusion or electrodeposition.

2. a less costly metal mixed with a more valuable one.

3. standard; quality; fineness.

4. admixture, as of good with evil.

   Synonyms: composite, blend, fusion

5. anything added that serves to reduce quality or purity.

verb (used with object)

1. to mix (metals or metal with nonmetal) so as to form an alloy.

2. to reduce in value by an admixture of a less costly metal.

3. to debase, impair, or reduce by admixture; adulterate.

alloy

noun

1. a metallic material, such as steel, brass, or bronze, consisting of a mixture of two or more metals or of metallic elements with nonmetallic elements. Alloys often have physical properties markedly different from those of the pure metals

2. something that impairs the quality or reduces the value of the thing to which it is added

verb

1. to add (one metal or element to another metal or element) to obtain a substance with a desired property

2. to debase (a pure substance) by mixing with an inferior element

3. to diminish or impair

alloy

1. A metallic substance made by mixing and fusing two or more metals, or a metal and a nonmetal, to obtain desirable qualities such as hardness, lightness, and strength. Brass, bronze, and steel are all alloys.

alloy

1. A material made of two or more metals, or of a metal and another material. For example, brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. Alloys often have unexpected characteristics. In the examples given above, brass is stronger than either copper or zinc, and steel is stronger than either iron or carbon.

Other Word Forms

• unalloyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alloy¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French aloi, Old French alei, noun derivative of aleier “to combine,” from Latin alligāre “to bind up,” equivalent to al- “toward” ( al- ) + ligāre “to bind” ( ally, ligament ); replacing earlier allay, Middle English, from Anglo-French allai

Word History and Origins

Origin of alloy¹

C16: from Old French aloi a mixture, from aloier to combine, from Latin alligāre, from ligāre to bind

Example Sentences

They were familiar with flexible new metal alloys that could sustain these chairs’ fluidity and springiness for years without snapping.

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The second was a Roman copper alloy lamp in the shape of sandaled foot, discovered by a study group in Kent while exploring what is believed to be a small Roman fort.

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Ms. Terekh oversaw a team of engineers as they experimented with making their own molds, developing appropriate alloys, perfecting the chemical-coating process and more.

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The funds will also help Elk Creek Resources and a Pentagon contractor develop aluminum-scandium alloy components for defense aerospace systems.

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Shares in companies that aim to produce obscure minerals—including dysprosium, used in high-performance magnets, and magnesium, which strengthens aluminum alloys—rose by as much as 20% in Sydney on Tuesday after U.S.

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