[al.loy] n [F aloi, fr. OF alei, fr. aleir to combine, fr. L alligare to bind--more at ally] (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 usu. 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 ~ of many peoples"
5. archaic: a metal mixed with a more valuable metal to give durability or some other desired quality
[2]al.loy vt (1661) 1 a: temper, moderate b: to impair or debase by admixture
2: to reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable metal
3: to mix so as to form an alloy ~ vi: to lend itself to being alloyed "iron ~s well"