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.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

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.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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.

A Dictionary of Nursing

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.

World Encyclopedia