An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

A material composed of two or more → metals, or of a metal or metals with a non-metal, exhibiting characteristic metallic properties. Some examples: → bronze is an alloy of → copper and → tin, brass is an alloy of → zinc and copper, and → steel is an alloy of → iron and → carbon. Alloys have properties which differ from those of their components. Moreover, different component proportions yield alloys with different properties.

From M.F. aloi, from O.Fr. alei, from aleier "to mix, combine," from L. alligare "to bind up," from → ad- "to" + → ligare "to bind."

Âlyâž, loanword from Fr.