See Also: Metallic(medicine)
metallic(dictionary)
metallic(dictionary)
metallic rale(medicine)
metallic tremor(medicine)
Metallic Piste - Fencing(gambling)
Metallic Ventures Gold(finance)

metallic (iou)



metallic adjective & noun. LME.
[Latin metallicus from Greek metallikos, from metallon METAL noun: see -IC.]
A. adjective.
1. Of, pertaining to, consisting of, or containing a metal or metals; of the nature of or resembling a metal. LME.
Scientific American Metallurgists were able to make a number of accurate predictions about metallic behaviour. Z. Tomin A large metallic sign rattled incessantly on a swaying post.
b. Involving or consisting of coin as distinguished from paper money. L18.
2. Yielding metal, metalliferous. L17.
R. Kirwan Metallic veins are never found in beds of lava.
3. Connected with mining or metallurgy. L17-M19.
4. Having the form or outward characters of a metal; (of a metal) uncombined with other substances. M18.
R. Raymond The ore is..free from base metals, and carries metallic silver. F. Hoyle At high temperatures, iron condenses in its metallic form.
5. Resembling a metal in appearance; esp. having or designating the peculiar sheen characteristic of metals; iridescent, glossy. L18.
I. Murdoch Her reddish brown hair, to which a..scattering of grey gave a metallic patina. Practical Motorist The En Vogue has metallic blue paintwork.
6. Of taste: suggestive of metal. E19.
7. Of sound: resembling that produced by metal when struck; sounding sharp and ringing; (esp. of the voice or a cry) harsh and unmusical. M19.
E. Lucie-Smith And fifty miles away the Channel gale Beats in the bays; with loud metallic cries.
Special collocations: metallic arc welding = metal arc welding s.v. METAL noun. metallic bond Chemistry the kind of bond that exists between the atoms in a metal, with electrons delocalized throughout the crystal lattice rather than shared. metallic circuit a telegraphic circuit in which the return is through a wire rather than the earth. metallic soap any of a class of soaps (containing an alkaline-earth or heavy metal instead of an alkali metal) which are soluble in organic solvents but not in water and are used in waterproofing and in making antioxidants, lubricants, and fungicides. metallic thread: made from metal or a synthetic material resembling metal. metallic tractors: see TRACTOR 1. metallic yarn = metallic thread above.
B. noun.
1. An article or substance made of or containing metal. Usu. in pl. E17.
2. A metallic paint or colour. L20.
metallically adverb by means of a metal or metals; in the manner of a metal or metals: M19.
metallicity noun (a) the quality of being metallic; (b) Astronomy the proportion of the material of a star that is an element other than hydrogen or helium: M19.