n. & v.
n. 1 a mixture of two or more metals, e.g. brass (a mixture of copper and zinc). 2 an inferior metal mixed esp. with gold or silver.
v.tr. 1 mix (metals). 2 debase (a pure substance) by admixture. 3 moderate.
[ F aloi (n.), aloyer (v.) f. OF aloier, aleier combine f. L alligare bind ]