nickel-iron \| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷\noun Etymology: probably part translation of German nickeleisen, from nickel + eisen iron : an alloy of nickel and iron (Ni,Fe) occurring native terrestrially in pebbles, grains, and fine scales and in meteorites as fine borders about and intimate intergrowths with kamacite