orichalcum

[ awr-i-kal-kuhm ]

noun

1. a brass rich in zinc, prepared by the ancients.

Word History and Origins

Origin of orichalcum¹

1640–50; < Latin < Greek oreíchalkos literally, mountain-copper, equivalent to orei-, combining form of óros mountain + chalkós copper

Example Sentences

About the Christian era the terms orichalcum or aurichalcum undoubtedly refer to brass, but whether these terms as used by earlier Greek writers do not refer to bronze only, is a matter of considerable doubt.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter were inscribed on a column of orichalcum which was deposited in the centre of the island, in the temple of the god, where the ten kings originally assembled every fifth year.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus tureigua hobin, which Peter Martyr translates “rex resplendens uti orichalcum,”23 in Arawack means “shining like something red.”

From Project Gutenberg

The Latin orichalcum, for instance, is simply the Greek word ὀρείχαλκος, from ὄρος, mountain, and χαλκός, copper.

From Project Gutenberg

In the first place the island supplied them with such things as are dug out of mines in a solid state, and with such as are melted: and orichalcum, which is now but seldom mentioned, but then was much celebrated, was dug out of the earth in many parts of the island, and was considered as the most honourable of all metals except gold.

From Project Gutenberg