Word Frequency
alloy
Definitions
noun
(ˈælɔɪ
; əˈlɔɪ
) - 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
- something that impairs the quality or reduces the value of the thing to which it is added
verb
(əˈlɔɪ
) tr- to add (one metal or element to another metal or element) to obtain a substance with a desired property
- to debase (a pure substance) by mixing with an inferior element
- to diminish or impair
Word Origin
C16: from Old French aloi a mixture, from aloier to combine, from Latin alligāre, from ligāre to bindSynonyms
View thesaurus entryTranslations for 'alloy'
- British English: alloy An alloy is a metal that is made by mixing two or more types of metal together. NOUNBronze is an alloy of copper and tin.
- Brazilian Portuguese: liga
- Chinese: 合金
- European Spanish: aleación
- French: alliage
- German: Legierung
- Italian: lega
- Japanese: 合金
- Korean: 합금
- Portuguese: liga
- Spanish: aleación
Example Sentences Including 'alloy'
'Their metallurgical laboratory in Reading has just patented a corrosion-resistant alloy ,' Manfred went on.AMAGANSETT (2004)
He also re-examined the samples from China and found they contained an iron alloy that does not occur on Earth.Globe and Mail (2003)
On two-wheel-drive Mazdas there's a free Boss pack with airconditioning, alloy tray, ladder racks and two tool boxes.Courier, Sunday Mail (2004)
Steels with a higher carbon content and alloy steels need quenching in oil to avoid the risk of cracking or distortion.Technology Basic Facts
The 40-year-old former Happy Mondays raver bought a Mazda RX-8 and a pink London taxi with spinner alloy wheels.Sun, News of the World (2005)
The US Army is expected to award a contract this week for the manufacture of prototype ammunition incorporating a "liquid metal" alloy.New Scientist (2003)
The drumming of the rain on the alloy roof of the immobile mobile home was a strangely comforting sound, Rosanna Nixon thought.The Scar
When it comes to the tyres I'd much rather a stunning set of alloy wheels than a pink tyre.Sun, News of the World (2002)
`Nigel - what about the alloy tank that was supposedly installed in the cargo hold?Cormorant
Sponsored Links
Log in to comment on this word.
Comments