Definition

1. Noun:

   • A metal made by combining two or more metallic elements: An "alloy" is a substance formed by mixing a metal with another metal or non-metal, typically to create a material with improved properties like strength or resistance to corrosion.
   • The act of impairing quality or value: In a figurative sense, "alloy" can refer to the state of reducing the purity, quality, or value of something by adding an inferior element.

2. Verb:

   • To mix metals to form an alloy: The primary meaning is to combine metals by melting them together.
   • To debase or reduce in value: To spoil or diminish the quality, purity, or value of something by adding an inferior element.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • Steel is a strong alloy of iron and carbon.
  • His joy was pure, without any alloy of sorrow. (Figurative use)

• Verb:

  • They alloy copper with tin to make bronze.
  • His reputation was alloyed by the scandal. (Figurative use)

Advanced Usage

• "To alloy something with something": This structure is used to specify the components being mixed, either literally or figuratively.
  • The gold was alloyed with silver for durability.
  • Her triumph was alloyed with a sense of guilt.

Variants and Related Words

• Alloyed (adj): Mixed with another substance; not pure. Often used figuratively.
  • His motives were alloyed with self-interest.
• Alloying (n/v): The process or act of making an alloy.
  • Alloying is a key technique in metallurgy.

Synonyms

• Noun (for the metal mixture): Blend, amalgam, composite, mixture.
• Verb (for mixing metals): Blend, fuse, amalgamate, combine.
• Verb (for debasing): Debase, adulterate, taint, dilute, corrupt.

Related Phrases

• "Without alloy": (Idiomatic) Pure, unadulterated, complete. Used to describe an emotion or state that is not mixed with anything negative.
  • It was a moment of happiness without alloy.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary and most common meaning of "alloy" is as a noun referring to a metallic mixture (e.g., brass, steel).
• The verb meaning "to mix metals" is its direct action.
• The figurative meanings (for both noun and verb) relating to reducing purity or value are less common but valid, often found in literary or formal contexts.

Noun

1. the state of impairing the quality or reducing the value of something
2. a mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten
   • brass is an alloy of zinc and copper

Verb

1. make an alloy of
2. lower in value by increasing the base-metal content