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 : fineness2: 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 components3 a: an admixture that lessens value b: an impairing alien element4: a compound, mixture, or union of different things <an ethnic alloy of many peoples>5archaic : a metal mixed with a more valuable metal to give durability or some other desired quality