amalgam

views updated Jun 27 2018

a·mal·gam / əˈmalgəm/ • n. a mixture or blend: a curious amalgam of the traditional and the modern. ∎  Chem. an alloy of mercury with another metal, esp. one used for dental fillings.

amalgam

views updated Jun 27 2018

amalgam mixture of a metal with mercury XV; mixture or combination XVII. — (O)F. amalgame or medL. amalgama, prob. ult. f. Gr. málagma emollient, f. malássein soften, through some Arab. form with prefixed AL-2.
So amalgamate XVII, amalgamation XVII.

amalgam

views updated Jun 08 2018

amalgam (ă-mal-găm) n. any of a group of alloys containing mercury. In dentistry amalgam fillings are made by mixing a silver–tin alloy with mercury in a machine known as an amalgamator.

amalgam

views updated May 29 2018

amalgam Solid or liquid alloy of mercury with other metals. Dentists used to fill teeth with amalgams usually containing copper and zinc. Most metals dissolve in mercury, although iron and platinum are exceptions.

Amalgam

views updated May 29 2018

Amalgam

an alloy of a metal or metalsWilkes.