alloy
alloy Lexical Profile
alloy Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A metal made by combining two or more metallic elements, or a metal with a nonmetal, especially to give greater strength or resistance to corrosion.
"Brass is a durable alloy of copper and zinc commonly used in musical instruments and plumbing fixtures."
An inferior metal mixed with a more valuable one, or figuratively, something added that lowers value or purity.
"Their joy at completing the expedition was pure and without any alloy of regret."
• verb
To mix or combine a metal with another metal or element, typically to improve its hardness, durability, or other properties.
"Jewelers regularly alloy pure gold with silver or copper to make it sturdy enough for everyday wear."
To debase or impair the quality, purity, or value of something by adding an inferior or spoiling element.
"Her relief at passing the final exam was slightly alloyed by anxiety about finding a summer internship."
• Rhymes for alloy
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from French 'aloi' (from Old French 'aleier', meaning 'to combine'), ultimately deriving from the Latin 'alligare' ('to bind to'), which renders 'alloy' a linguistic doublet of 'ally'.