| 释义 |
amalgamation|əˌmælgəˈmeɪʃən|
[n. of action f. amalgamate: see -ation. Cf. mod.Fr. amalgamation, which may be the earlier.]
1. a. The softening of metals, etc. by union with mercury; the action or process of combining with mercury; and by extension, the intimate combination of two metals into an alloy. Often attrib.
1612Woodall Surg. Mate Wks. 1653, 268 Amalgamation is the putting together, solution, or calcination of familiar metals, by Argentum vivum, etc. 1794Sullivan View Nat. I. 474 Metals by amalgamation shall be confounded and entirely concealed within each other. 1869Roscoe Elem. Chem. 271 For the extraction of silver from the other ores, a process termed amalgamation is employed, in which mercury is used to dissolve the metallic silver. 1875Ure Dict. Arts III. 808 Details of the Amalgamation Process.
b. (See quot.)
1753Chambers Cycl. Supp., Amalgamation is also applied, in a less proper sense, to a solution of sulphur with mercury. In this sense amalgamation amounts to the same as mollification or softening; in which sense the word is used by some ancient chemists.
2. fig. The action of combining distinct elements, races, associations, into one uniform whole.
1775De Lolme Constit. Eng. i. ii. (1784) 24 The amalgamation of the Saxons and Normans. 1824Coleridge Aids to Refl. 226 The forced amalgamation of the Patriarchal tradition with the incongruous scheme of Pantheism. 1837Baltimore Com. Transcript 8 June 2/1 (Th. Suppl.), Amalgamation. A black man and a white woman were lately brought before the Police Court in Boston charged with unlawfully marrying. 1868M. Pattison Academ. Organ. §2. 45 The amalgamation of County, City, and University police into one Corps. 1905N.Y. Even. Post 11 Oct. 4 If the white race are permeated with race consciousness, there is no danger of amalgamation.
3. The state or condition of being united with mercury; and by extension, a mixture or union of metals generally.
1753Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v., According to these rules, there will always be an amalgamation made. 1874Boutell Arms & Arm. ii. 38 Bronze or hardened brass, an amalgamation, that is, of copper with tin.
4. fig. A homogeneous union of what were previously distinct elements, societies, etc.
1828Macaulay Hallam, Ess. I. 51 The two hostile elements of which it consists have never been known to form a perfect amalgamation. 1850Gladstone Gleanings V. lii. 204 Reasons..for a close amalgamation between ecclesiastical and civil authority. |