alloy

alloy. noun 1. a metallic material, such as steel, brass, or bronze, consisting of a mixture of two or more metals or of metallic elements with nonmetallic elements. Alloys often have physical properties markedly different from those of the pure metals 2. something that impairs the quality or reduces the value of the thing to which it is added verb (transitive) 3. to add (one metal or element to another metal or element) to obtain a substance with a desired property 4. to debase (a pure substance) by mixing with an inferior element 5. to diminish or impair.