alloyedadj.
/ˈalɔɪd/, U.S. /ˈæˌlɔɪd/ (also, esp. in sense 3)Brit. /əˈlɔɪd/, U.S. /əˈlɔɪd/ I. Senses relating to metals.
1. Of a precious metal: mixed with a less valuable metal in order to lower its standard or quality without this being apparent, or to improve its durability; spec. debased in this way.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > metal > alloy > [adjective] > mixed with inferior metal
allayed1533
alloyed1683
1683 in S. Annesley Contin. Morning-exercise Questions viii. 186 The False Coiner hath been suffer'd to stamp the base alloy'd mettal of our Imperfect Vertues with the impress of divine Perfection.
1699 R. Boyle & R. Boulton Wks. of R. Boyle Epitomiz'd I. v. i. viii. 318 By afterwards trying how much lighter in Water the same weight of allayed Gold in the Air will be, and at the same time observing what was the proportion of Silver in the Alloy, we may be enabled to judge how much other pieces of Gold are alloyed by comparing their weight in Water with this Standard.
1747 P. Shaw Philos. & Chym. Anal. Antimony 5 In this Manner may pure and alloyed Metals be distinguished with Ease.
1763 W. Lewis Commercium Philosophico-technicum 50 The greater hardness of alloyed gold.
1774 C. J. Phipps Voy. N. Pole 119 Its axis (the ends of which were of gold alloyed with copper) rested on friction wheels.
1831 D. Lardner Hydrostatics viii. 164 Alloyed metals, or adulterated liquids.
1904 P. N. Hasluck Metalworking 565/2 There are five standards of alloyed gold in general use, 22 carat, 18 carat, 15 carat, 12 carat, and 9 carat.
1998 Jrnl. Econ. Hist. 58 134 The 251,000 coins minted and their weight of 3,380 marcs 3 ounces of alloyed silver at 11/24 fineness argent-le-roi.
2. Of a metal: combined with another metal or (less commonly) a non-metallic element so as to form an alloy.
ΚΠ
1822 London Jrnl. Arts & Sci. 3 269 Some other metals being acted on many times more rapidly by acids than alloyed steel.
1870 J. Percy Metall. Lead 89 The alkaline reaction of a freshly-cut surface of the alloyed lead.
1938 A. E. Clayton Performance & Design Direct Current Machines (ed. 2) ii. 18 This alloyed steel is used in special cases, such as totally enclosed motors.
2008 New Yorker 12 May 126/2 An abstract mosaic of colored stones..awaiting completion with strips of alloyed lead and tin.
II. Figurative uses.
3. figurative. Of a quality, feeling, experience, etc.: containing a base or undesirable element; mixed, adulterated.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > condition or state of being mixed or blended > [adjective] > mixed with something > adulterated
sophisticatec1400
adulterine1542
adulterous1547
corrupted1563
sophistered1567
corrupt1581
carded1596
adultered1603
sophisticated1607
adulterated1610
brackish1611
adulterate1634
sophistical1658
unsincere1664
doctored1784
alloyed1806
filled1887
1806 J. Cumming Felltham's Resolves (new ed.) ii. 237 A doubtful and alloyed [1661 allayed] pleasure.
1843 J. Gratrix Serm. xvii. 226 Not to partake of an alloyed felicity, but to enjoy a morning without a cloud.
1863 Methodist Q. Rev. Jan. 91 Contact with neighboring nations and neighboring civilization has indeed always given their literature an alloyed character.
1901 Edinb. Rev. Apr. 525 He was not, in truth, a facile lover, and at best his companionship must have been an alloyed happiness.
1971 W. Myers in J. Lucas Lit. & Politics in Nineteenth Cent. iv. 98 Pancks..can only give the reader a slightly alloyed pleasure.
1999 A. Sullivan Love Undetectable iii. 191 For most of us, friendship is an alloyed experience, muddied with pleasure and need and mere amusement.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
adj.1683