metal
UK: ˈmetl | US: ˈmetl
n. a solid material that is typically hard, shiny, malleable, fusible, and ductile, with good electrical and thermal conductivity
n. (figurative) a genre of rock music characterized by aggressive sound and themes
metal = met<mine> + al<noun suffix>
- met<mine>: From Greek metallon (mine, quarry, or metal extracted from ore).
- al<noun suffix>: A suffix forming nouns, often indicating a material or category.
Etymology Origin:
The word "metal" traces back to Greek metallon, originally referring to a mine or quarry, later narrowing to mean the substances mined (e.g., gold, silver). Latin adopted it as metallum, and Old French evolved it into metal, which entered Middle English. The term’s shift from "place of extraction" to "material itself" reflects the practical focus on mined resources in ancient industries.
Iron is a strong metal used in construction.
She collects vintage metal jewelry.
The bridge is reinforced with steel metal beams.
His favorite music genre is heavy metal.
Aluminum is a lightweight metal ideal for packaging.