amalgam

[ uh-mal-guhm ]

noun

1. an alloy of mercury with another metal or metals.
2. an alloy that consists chiefly of silver mixed with mercury and variable amounts of other metals and is used as a dental filling.
3. a rare mineral, an alloy of silver and mercury, occurring as silver-white crystals or grains.
4. a mixture or combination:

   His character is a strange amalgam of contradictory traits.

amalgam

/ əˈmælɡəm /

noun

1. an alloy of mercury with another metal, esp with silver

   dental amalgam

2. a rare white metallic mineral that consists of silver and mercury and occurs in deposits of silver and cinnabar
3. a blend or combination

amalgam

/ ə-măl′gəm /

1. An alloy of mercury and another metal, especially:
2. An alloy of mercury and silver used in dental fillings.
3. An alloy of silver and tin used in silvering mirrors.

Word History and Origins

Origin of amalgam¹

1425–75; late Middle English amalgam ( e ) < Middle French < Medieval Latin < dialectal Arabic al the + malgham < Greek málagma softening agent, equivalent to malak- (stem of malássein to soften) + -ma noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of amalgam¹

C15: from Medieval Latin amalgama, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

It was a confusing amalgam of emotions, largely compounded by my mom’s general reticence to discuss the topic outside of a personal account she self-published several years ago to process her yearslong PTSD.

From Salon

Before it’s over, we’ll see grizzly bears, moose, elephants, walruses, rhinos and more — an amalgam of the more than 75 detailed habitat displays that are at the heart of the museum’s exhibits.

From Los Angeles Times

As the Michelin page itself says, "Chef Andrew Zimmerman’s menu is a delicious amalgam of American cuisine with hints of Southeast Asian, Korean, and Mediterranean tastes."

From Salon

“What you have in this ticket is a weird amalgam of plutocratic populism,” Kabaservice said.

From Los Angeles Times

She also learned deeply from her bittersweet amalgam of vulnerability and flintiness.

From New York Times

Related Words

• admixture
• alloy
• amalgamation