I. ˈaˌlȯi, əˈl-, aˈl-; ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ is prob more freq for noun senses 4 & 5, and for the verb, than for noun senses 2 & 3 noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French aloi, from aloier
1. obsolete : essential quality or character : standard
2. : degree of mixture with base metals : comparative purity (as of gold or silver) : fineness
3.
a. : a substance composed of two or more metals intimately mixed and united usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten
brass is an alloy of copper and zinc
also : the state of union of the components
b. : a similar substance with metallic properties, sometimes with limited malleability and conductivity, formed by union of a metal and a nonmetal
steel is an alloy of iron and carbon
c. archaic : an inferior metal mixed with a more valuable one
coins made of silver and alloy
4.
a. : admixture that lessens value or detracts from quality
b. : an impairing alien element or part
no happiness is without alloy
had his alloy , like other people, of ambition and selfishness — Rose Macaulay
5. : any compound, mixture, or union of different things : amalgam
an ethnic alloy of many peoples
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: obsolete French aloyer, from Old French aleier, aloier, alier to combine, from Latin alligare to bind, bind to — more at ally
transitive verb
1. : to reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable metal
alloy gold with copper
2. : to mix with another metal or metals (as by melting together) : use as the constituent or constituents of an alloy : mix so as to form an alloy
3. : to lower, impair, or debase by mixture
alloying the splendor of the sight
: allay , moderate , temper
mercy should alloy our stern resentment — W.S.Gilbert
intransitive verb
: to mix to form an alloy : lend itself readily to being alloyed
iron alloys well