metal

plural metals

1. Chemical elements or alloys, their ores, and the mines where their ores come from.
   1. countableuncountableheadingAny of a number of chemical elements in the periodic table that form a metallic bond with other metal atoms; generally shiny, somewhat malleable and hard, often a conductor of heat and electricity.

      Earth is surrounded by a magnetosphere — an invisible bubble of magnetism generated by the powerful churning of molten metals at Earth’s core.

      2023 December 27, Mindy Weisberger, “Ancient bricks baked when Nebuchadnezzar II was king absorbed a power surge in Earth’s magnetic field”, in CNN

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      Manganism has been known about since the 19th century, when miners exposed to ores containing manganese, a silvery metal, began to totter, slur their speech and behave like someone inebriated.

      2014 April 21, “Subtle effects”, in The Economist, volume 411, number 8884, archived from the original on 26 Mar 2019

   2. countableuncountableheadingAny material with similar physical properties as those chemical elements, especially as a combination of several of them, such as an alloy.

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      But then I had the flintlock by me for protection. ¶ There were giants in the days when that gun was made; for surely no modern mortal could have held that mass of metal steady to his shoulder. The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window[…].

      1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC

   3. countableuncountableastronomyAn element which was not directly created after the Big Bang but instead formed through nuclear reactions; any element other than hydrogen and helium.

      Most of the matter in stars is hydrogen and helium, and the metals (including carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and so on) were cooked up inside stars.

      2003, Michael A. Seeds, Astronomy: The Solar System and Beyond, Thomson Brooks/Cole, →ISBN

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      2008, Lunar and Planetary Institute, Geochemical Society, Oxygen in the solar system, Mineralogical Society of Amer →ISBN Thus, for the remaining elements, including oxygen, the solid phase appears to be important. In fact, at a metallicity of Z=0.02, and with a gas-to-dust ratio of 100, about half of the metals — including oxygen — are contained in the solid phase.

      Metals include oxygen and carbon which means that water and organic molecules would have been abundant in the early universe, perhaps paving the way for the emergence of life within a couple of billion years of the Big Bang.

      2015, Alan Longstaff, Astrobiology: An Introduction, CRC Press, →ISBN, page 350

   4. countableuncountableheadingCrushed rock, stones etc. used to make a road.

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      One of the most important tasks was the metalling of the roads, and the dumping of metal beside them in parts where it was impossible to lay it, in order that work might commence with the assault. The surface of the roads was good, but only because the Division had been holding a front so wide, which made the traffic upon them relatively light.

      1922, Falls Cyril, The History of the 36th (Ulster) Division, M'Caw, Stevenson and Orr, Ltd

   5. countableuncountablebusinessThe ore from which a metal is derived.
   6. countableobsoleteuncountableheadingA mine from which ores are taken.

      slaves […] and persons condemned to metals

      1660, Jeremy Taylor, Ductor Dubitantium, or the Rule of Conscience in All Her General Measures; […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: […] James Flesher, for Richard Royston […], →OCLC

2. countableuncountablegovernmentA light tincture used in a coat of arms, specifically argent (white or silver) and or (gold).
3. countableuncountableartsMolten glass that is to be blown or moulded to form objects.
4. countableuncountableentertainmentA category of rock music encompassing a number of genres (including thrash metal, death metal, etc.) characterized by strong drumbeats and distorted guitars.

   While the motive is still under investigation, authorities said that Matthews’ interest in black metal music may have influenced his behavior.

   2019 April 11, Harmeet Kaur, “Authorities say black metal may have influenced the Louisiana church fires suspect. Here’s what to know.”, in CNN

   Synonyms: heavy metal

5. archaiccountablefigurativelyuncountableThe substance that constitutes something or someone; matter; hence, character or temper.

   Th' Ambitious Youth, too Covetous of Fame, / Too full of Angells Metal in his Frame, / Unvvarily vvas led from Vertues vvays, / Made Drunk vvith Honour, and Debauch'd vvith Praiſe.

   1681, [John Dryden], Absalom and Achitophel. A Poem, London: […] J[acob] T[onson] and are to be sold by W. Davis […], →OCLC, page 10

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   Leonato. Well, neece, I hope to ſee you one day fitted with a husband. / Beatrice. Not till God make men of ſome other mettall then earth, would it not grieue a woman to be over-maſtred with a peece of valiant duſt?

   1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i], page 104

   Synonyms: mettle

6. countableuncountableThe effective power or calibre of guns carried by a vessel of war.
7. UKcountablein pluraluncountableThe rails of a railway.
8. countableinformaluncountableaeronauticsThe actual airline operating a flight, rather than any of the codeshare operators.

   We have American Airlines tickets, but it's on British Airways metal.

comparative more metal · superlative most metal

1. entertainmentCharacterized by strong drum-beats and distorted guitars.First known use 1970s and after
2. Having the emotional or social characteristics associated with metal music; brash, bold, frank, unyielding, etc.

   Top tip: Bowling gloves are for sissies, although they look metal as fuck.

   2012 August, “Tested Bowling Balls”, in Front, number 171, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 40

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   The beast will destroy everything in his path With this song on the upcoming brawl It sure is a long one and tough to pronounce but It's the most metal title of all

   2008, Lich King, “Attack of the Wrath of the War of the Death of the Strike of the Sword of the Blood of the Beast”, in Toxic Zombie Onslaught

present singular third person metals · US participle present metaling · UK participle present metalling · US participle past metaled · US past metaled · UK participle past metalled · UK past metalled

1. To make a road using crushed rock, stones etc.