metal: Meaning and Definition of

met•al

Pronunciation: (met'l), [key]
— n., v., -aled, -al•ing -alled, -al•ling.
—n.
  1. any of a class of elementary substances, as gold, silver, or copper, all of which are crystalline when solid and many of which are characterized by opacity, ductility, conductivity, and a unique luster when freshly fractured.
    1. such a substance in its pure state, as distinguished from alloys.
    2. an element yielding positively charged ions in aqueous solutions of its salts.
  2. an alloy or mixture composed wholly or partly of such substances, as brass.
  3. an object made of metal.
  4. formative material; stuff.
  5. mettle.
    1. Seetype metal.
    2. the state of being set in type.
  6. molten glass in the pot or melting tank.
  7. See
—v.t.
  1. to furnish or cover with metal.
  2. to pave or surface (a road) with broken stone.

metal.

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. metallurgical.
  2. metallurgy.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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