Main Entry: ¹al·loy

Pronunciation: \ˈa-ˌlȯi also ə-ˈlȯi\

Function: noun

Etymology: French aloi, from Old French alei, from aleir to combine, from Latin alligare to bind — more at ally

Date: 1604

1 : the degree of mixture with base metals : fineness
2 : a substance composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal intimately united usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten; also : the state of union of the components
3 a : an admixture that lessens value b : an impairing alien element
4 : a compound, mixture, or union of different things <an ethnic alloy of many peoples>
5 archaic : a metal mixed with a more valuable metal to give durability or some other desired quality