amalgam

[ uh-mal-guh m ]
/ əˈmæl gəm /

noun

an alloy of mercury with another metal or metals.
an alloy that consists chiefly of silver mixed with mercury and variable amounts of other metals and is used as a dental filling.
a rare mineral, an alloy of silver and mercury, occurring as silver-white crystals or grains.
a mixture or combination: His character is a strange amalgam of contradictory traits.

Origin of amalgam

1425–75; late Middle English amalgam(e) < Middle French < Medieval Latin < dialectal Arabic al the + malgham < Greek málagma softening agent, equivalent to malak- (stem of malássein to soften) + -ma noun suffix

Example sentences from the Web for amalgam

British Dictionary definitions for amalgam

amalgam
/ (əˈmælɡəm) /

noun

an alloy of mercury with another metal, esp with silver dental amalgam
a rare white metallic mineral that consists of silver and mercury and occurs in deposits of silver and cinnabar
a blend or combination

Word Origin for amalgam

C15: from Medieval Latin amalgama, of obscure origin

Medical definitions for amalgam

amalgam
[ ə-mălgəm ]

n.

Any of various alloys of mercury with other metals, as with tin or silver, used for filling teeth.

Scientific definitions for amalgam

amalgam
[ ə-mălgəm ]

An alloy of mercury and another metal, especially:
An alloy of mercury and silver used in dental fillings.
An alloy of silver and tin used in silvering mirrors.