al·loy

(ăl′oi′, ə-loi′)

1. A metallic solid or liquid that is composed of a homogeneous mixture of two or more metals or of metals and nonmetal or metalloid elements, usually for the purpose of imparting or increasing specific characteristics or properties: 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.

tr.v. (ə-loi′, ăl′oi′) al·loyed, al·loy·ing, al·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.

[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; see leig- in Indo-European roots.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Adj.	1.	alloyed - (used of metals) debased by mixture with an inferior element impure - combined with extraneous elements
	2.	alloyed - (used of metals) blended to obtain a desired property blended - combined or mixed together so that the constituent parts are indistinguishable

alloyed

adjective

Mixed with other substances:

adulterated, doctored, impure, loaded, sophisticated.