alloy

Everyday

1. An alloy is a metal made by mixing two or more metals, or a metal with another element, to make it stronger or better. tree →
2. Alloy wheels are car wheels made of a light metal alloy. tree →
3. To alloy means to mix metals together to make an alloy. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on materials and mixtures: steel (iron + carbon), brass (copper + zinc), bronze (copper + tin); history (the Bronze Age); in everyday life, coins, bikes and wheels are made of alloys.

Examples

• Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. tree →
• Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. tree →
• Coins are usually made of alloys. tree →
• Dad's car has shiny alloy wheels. tree →
• Alloys can be harder than pure metals. tree →
• The Bronze Age began when people learned to make a new alloy. tree →

Note

Countable: an alloy, alloys. Uses «an» because it starts with a vowel sound. Science: an alloy is a mixture, not a new compound.

In Jewish tradition

Here it means the cheap, impure metal mixed into silver, a picture of sin in the people.

Interpretation. Commentators read God's purging of the alloy as cleansing Israel of sin so it can become faithful and just again.

Examples

• And I will turn My hand upon thee, and purge away thy dross as with lye, and will take away all thine alloy; (Prophets ISA.1.25, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: an alloy, alloys. Uses «an» because it starts with a vowel sound. Science: an alloy is a mixture, not a new compound.