metal

(met′ăl)

To hear audio pronunciation of this topic, purchase a subscription or log in.

[L. metallum fr. Gr. metallon, mine, quarry, metal]
Any of a class of elements (such as gold, silver, nickel) and their alloys (such as brass, bronze), all of which are crystalline when solid and many of which are opaque, shiny, capable of conducting electrons, and can be shaped by heat and pressure. Most elements are metals.

There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.