amalgam etymology

Etymology:

The word "amalgam" is derived from the Medieval Latin term "amalgama," which is a Latinization of the Medieval Greek term "amalgama." The Medieval Greek term itself is derived from the Arabic term "al-malgham," which means "a mixture."

Meaning:

An amalgam is a mixture of different materials, typically metals, that are combined to form a new substance with unique properties. The materials in an amalgam are usually homogeneously mixed and have a metallic luster.

Origin:

The concept of amalgams originated in ancient times, with alchemists and metallurgists experimenting with mixtures of different metals to create new materials with enhanced properties. However, the term "amalgam" was first used in the 16th century to refer specifically to mixtures of mercury with other metals.

Over time, the term has been applied to a wide range of material combinations, including those that do not contain mercury. Today, amalgams are used in various applications, such as dentistry, electronics, and electrochemistry.

Notable examples of amalgam uses:

  • Dental amalgam: A mixture of mercury, silver, tin, copper, and zinc used in dentistry to fill cavities.
  • Sodium amalgam: A highly reactive mixture of sodium and mercury used in electrochemistry.
  • Palladium amalgam: A mixture of palladium, silver, and other metals used in dentistry as an alternative to mercury-containing amalgams.
  • Gold amalgam: A mixture of gold and other metals used in electronics and jewelry making.
  • Brass: A common alloy of copper and zinc that is technically considered an amalgam.

amalgam relate terms

  • amalgamate

    Etymology The word amalgamate comes from the Latin word amalgamare meaning to mix

  • amalgamation

    Etymology The word amalgamation comes from the Latin word amalgama which in turn com

  • amalgam

    Etymology The word amalgam is derived from the Medieval Latin term amalgama which i

  • amalgamize

    Etymology amalgamate verb from Latin amalgamāre from Greek amalgama from amalasse

  • amalgamize

    Etymology amalgamate verb from Latin amalgamāre from Greek amalgama from amalasse

  • amalgam

    Etymology The word amalgam is derived from the Medieval Latin term amalgama which i

  • amblyopia

    Etymology Greek amblys blunt dull ops eye Meaning Amblyopia is a condition

  • bland

    Etymology The word bland is derived from the Old French word bland meaning flat o

  • blandish

    Etymology Middle English blandisen from Old French blandir from Late Latin blandī

  • blenny

    Etymology The word blenny is derived from the French word blennie which in turn com

  • emollient

    Etymology Latin emollire to soften Proto Indo European mel to grind crush so

  • enamel

    Etymology of enamel The word enamel originates from the Old French word esmaillier

  • malacia

    Etymology From Ancient Greek μαλακία malakía softness Related to μαλ

  • malaxation

    Etymology From Latin malaxare to soften knead from Greek malattein to soften

  • malt

    Etymology The word malt comes from the Old English word mealt which is derived from

  • melt

    Etymology The word melt comes from the Old English word meltan which is related to t

  • mild

    Etymology Mild is derived from the Old English word milde meaning gentle kind or

  • Mildred

    Etymology Germanic origin derived from the Old German name Mildhrith or Mildrid

  • milt

    Etymology The word milt comes from the Old English word milte which is related to th

  • moil

    Etymology The word moil originates from the Middle English word moilen which is deri

  • mollify

    Etymology The word mollify comes from the Latin word mollifico which is a combinati

  • Mollusca

    Etymology The term Mollusca is derived from the Latin word mollis which means soft

  • mollusk

    Etymology The word mollusk is derived from the New Latin word molluscus meaning so

  • mulch

    Etymology The word mulch comes from Middle English mulch meaning to cover with stra

  • mullein

    Etymology The word mullein is derived from the Latin word mollis which means soft

  • mutton

    Etymology The word mutton originates from the Old French word mouton which itself i

  • schmaltz

    Etymology and Origin of Schmaltz Schmaltz is a culinary fat derived from rendered chi

  • smelt

    Etymology The word smelt comes from the Old English verb smelten which means to me

  • smelt

    Etymology The word smelt comes from the Old English verb smelten which means to me

  • combination

    Etymology The English word combination comes from the Latin word combinatio which is

  • metal

    Etymology The word metal is derived from the Late Latin word metāllum which is ulti

  • alloy

    Etymology and Meaning The word alloy comes from the Old French word aloyer which me

  • loyal

    Etymology Old French leial c 1175 Late Latin legalis lawful legitimate Latin

  • dental

    Etymology The term dental is derived from the Latin word dens plural dentes me

  • conspicuous

    Etymology Conspicuous originates from the Latin word conspicuus which means visible

  • persuasion

    Etymology Latin persuadere to persuade convince induce Proto Indo European per

  • believe

    Etymology The word believe originates from the Old English word geliefan which is d

  • conundrum

    Etymology The word conundrum is derived from the Latin phrase conundrāre meaning t

  • security

    Etymology The word security is derived from the Latin word securus meaning free fro