electrum

American  

[ih-lek-truhm] / ɪˈlɛk trəm /

noun

1. an amber-colored alloy of gold and silver used in ancient times.

2. an alloy composed of about 50 percent copper, 30 percent nickel, and 20 percent zinc.

3. German silver; nickel silver.

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electrum British  

/ ɪˈlɛktrəm /

noun

1. an alloy of gold (55–88 per cent) and silver used for jewellery and ornaments

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Etymology

Origin of electrum

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin < Greek ḗlektron amber, alloy of gold and silver

Example Sentences

This song has an axis of electrum, chile.

From New York Times • Sep. 7, 2022

Before Croesus the Greeks used coins of a gold and silver alloy called electrum.

From Time Magazine Archive

Responsible banking opinion everywhere last week treated electrum talk as September madness.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Egyptians classified metals under two heads--namely, the noble metals, as gold, electrum, and silver; and the base metals, as copper, iron, lead, and, at a later period, tin.

From Manual of Egyptian Archaeology and Guide to the Study of Antiquities in Egypt by Maspero, G. (Gaston)

These articles shall be engraved on a pillar of electrum, which shall be set up on the border in mid-air.

From Works of Lucian of Samosata — Volume 02 by Fowler, F. G. (Francis George)