alloy

An alloy is a fusion of a two or more metals or of metals with non-metals.

(noun)

An example of an alloy is brass, which is made from copper and zinc.

The definition of an alloy is a finer metal mixed with a less valuable metal.

(noun)

An example of an alloy is a mixture of steel and iron.

An alloy is an addition to something that decreases the level of quality, value or purity.

(noun)

An example of an alloy is the tin in the mixture of copper and tin that makes bronze.

Alloy is defined as the action of combining two metals, or a metal with a non-metal, to create an alloy.

(verb)

An example of alloy is someone combining copper and zinc.

Alloy means to mix a less valuable metal with a more valuable one.

(verb)

An example of alloy is mixing silver with gold.

Alloy is to make something worse, less pure, or less valuable.

(verb)

An example of alloy is mixing mercury into lead.

See alloy in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the relative purity of gold or silver; fineness
a substance that is a mixture, as by fusion, of two or more metals, or of a metal and something else
1. Archaic a less valuable metal mixed with a more valuable one, often to give hardness
2. something that lowers the value or quality of another thing when mixed with it

Origin: ME alai < Anglo-Fr alei (OFr aloi) < aleier: see alloythe

transitive verb

Origin: Fr aloyer < OFr aloier, aleier < L alligare < ad-, to + ligare, to bind: see ligature

See alloy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A homogeneous mixture or solid solution of two or more metals, the atoms of one replacing or occupying interstitial positions between the atoms of the other: Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper.
A mixture; an amalgam: “Television news has . . . always been an alloy of journalism and show business” (Bill Moyers).
The relative degree of mixture with a base metal; fineness.
Something added that lowers value or purity.

transitive verb (ə-loiˈ, ălˈoiˌ) al·loyed, al·loy·ing, al·loys