I. ˈa-ˌlȯi also ə-ˈlȯi 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
II. ə-ˈlȯi also ˈa-ˌlȯi
Date: 1661
transitive verb
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
intransitive verb
: to lend itself to being alloyed
iron alloy s well