alloy
• noun /aloy/ 1 a metal made by combining two or more metallic elements, especially to give greater strength or resistance to corrosion. 2 an inferior metal mixed with a precious one. • verb / loy/ 1 mix (metals) to make an alloy. 2 spoil by adding something inferior. — ORIGIN Old French aloier, aleier ‘combine’, from Latin alligare ‘bind’.
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