metal Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
metallic element.
noun a mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten
alloy.
- brass is an alloy of zinc and copper
verb cover with metal
adjective containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal
metallic.
- a metallic compound
- metallic luster
- the strange metallic note of the meadow lark, suggesting the clash of vibrant blades"- Ambrose Bierce

F. métal, L. metallum metal, mine, Gr. mine; cf. Gr. to search after. Cf. Mettle, Medal.

(Chem.) An elementary substance, as sodium, calcium, or copper, whose oxide or hydroxide has basic rather than acid properties, as contrasted with the nonmetals, or metalloids. No sharp line can be drawn between the metals and nonmetals, and certain elements partake of both acid and basic qualities, as chromium, manganese, bismuth, etc. ✍ Popularly, the name is applied to certain hard, fusible metals, as gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, zinc, nickel, etc., and also to the mixed metals, or metallic alloys, as brass, bronze, steel, bell metal, etc.
Ore from which a metal is derived; -- so called by miners. Raymond.
A mine from which ores are taken. Obs.
Slaves . . . and persons condemned to metals. Jer. Taylor.
The substance of which anything is made; material; hence, constitutional disposition; character; temper.
Not till God make men of some other metal than earth. Shak.
Courage; spirit; mettle. See Mettle. Shak. ✍ The allusion is to the temper of the metal of a sword blade. Skeat.
The broken stone used in macadamizing roads and ballasting railroads.
The effective power or caliber of guns carried by a vessel of war.
Glass in a state of fusion. Knight.
pl. The rails of a railroad. Eng.

imperfect & past participle Metaled or Metalled; present participle & verbal noun Metaling or Metalling