n.
Pronunciation: ' a- ˌ lo ̇ i also ə - ' lo ̇ i
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