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al·loy (ăĺoí, ə-loí)

[Alteration (influenced by French aloi), of obsolete allay, from Middle English alay, from Old North French allai, from allayer, to alloy, from Latin alligāre, to bind, ad-, ad-, + ligāre, to bind.]

noun 

  1. A homogeneous mixture or solid solution of two or more metals, the atoms of one replacing or occupying interstitial positions between the atoms of the other: Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper.
  2. A mixture; an amalgam: “Television news has . . . always been an alloy of journalism and show business” (Bill Moyers)
  3. The relative degree of mixture with a base metal; fineness.
  4. Something added that lowers value or purity.

transitive verb: -loyed, -loy·ing, -loys. 

  1. To combine (metals) to form an alloy.
  2. To combine; mix: idealism that was alloyed with political skill.
  3. To debase by the addition of an inferior element.