*amalgam*

n. [ F. amalgame, prob. fr. L. malagma, Gr. ma`lagma, emollient, plaster, poultice, fr. mala`ssein to make soft, fr. malako`s soft. ] 1. An alloy of mercury with another metal or metals; as, an amalgam of tin, bismuth, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Medalists apply the term to soft alloys generally. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A mixture or compound of different things. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Min.) A native compound of mercury and silver. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. Same as Amalgam. [ 1913 Webster ]

They divided this their amalgama into a number of incoherent republics. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Amalgamated; p. pr. & vb. n. Amalgamating. ] 1. To compound or mix, as quicksilver, with another metal; to unite, combine, or alloy with mercury. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To mix, so as to make a uniform compound; to unite or combine; as, to amalgamate two races; to amalgamate one race with another. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ingratitude is indeed their four cardinal virtues compacted and amalgamated into one. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To unite in an amalgam; to blend with another metal, as quicksilver. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To coalesce, as a result of growth; to combine into a uniform whole; to blend; as, two organs or parts amalgamate. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. Coalesced; united; combined. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. amalgamation. ] 1. The act or operation of compounding mercury with another metal; -- applied particularly to the process of separating gold and silver from their ores by mixing them with mercury. Ure. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The mixing or blending of different elements, races, societies, etc.; also, the result of such combination or blending; a homogeneous union. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Characterized by amalgamation. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, amalgamates. Specifically: A machine for separating precious metals from earthy particles by bringing them in contact with a body of mercury with which they form an amalgam. [ 1913 Webster ]