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noun Metal n. 1.(Chem.) An elementary substance, as sodium, calcium, or copper, whose oxide or hydroxide has basic rather than acid properties, as contrasted with the nonmetals, or metalloids. No sharp line can be drawn between the metals and nonmetals, and certain elements partake of both acid and basic qualities, as chromium, manganese, bismuth, etc. Note: Popularly, the name is applied to certain hard, fusible metals, as gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, zinc, nickel, etc., and also to the mixed metals, or metallic alloys, as brass, bronze, steel, bell metal, etc. 2.Ore from which a metal is derived; so called by miners. 3.A mine from which ores are taken. (Obs.) "Slaves... and persons condemned to metals." 4.The substance of which anything is made; material; hence, constitutional disposition; character; temper. "Not till God make men of some other metal than earth." 5.Courage; spirit; mettle. See Mettle. Note: The allusion is to the temper of the metal of a sword blade. 6.The broken stone used in macadamizing roads and ballasting railroads. 7.The effective power or caliber of guns carried by a vessel of war. 8.Glass in a state of fusion. 9.pl. The rails of a railroad. (Eng.) Base metal (Chem.), any one of the metals, as iron, lead, etc., which are readily tarnished or oxidized, in contrast with the noble metals. In general, a metal of small value, as compared with gold or silver. Fusible metal (Metal.), a very fusible alloy, usually consisting of bismuth with lead, tin, or cadmium. Heavy metals (Chem.), the metallic elements not included in the groups of the alkalies, alkaline earths, or the earths; specifically, the heavy metals, as gold, mercury, platinum, lead, silver, etc. Light metals (Chem.), the metallic elements of the alkali and alkaline earth groups, as sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.; also, sometimes, the metals of the earths, as aluminium. Muntz metal, an alloy for sheathing and other purposes, consisting of about sixty per cent of copper, and forty of zinc. Sometimes a little lead is added. It is named from the inventor. Prince's metal (Old Chem.), an alloy resembling brass, consisting of three parts of copper to one of zinc; also called Prince Rupert's metal.
adjective Base adj. 1.Of little, or less than the usual, height; of low growth; as, base shrubs. (Archaic) 2.Low in place or position. (Obs.) 3.Of humble birth; or low degree; lowly; mean. (Archaic) "A peasant and base swain." 4.Illegitimate by birth; bastard. (Archaic) "Why bastard? wherefore base?" 5.Of little comparative value, as metal inferior to gold and silver, the precious metals. 6.Alloyed with inferior metal; debased; as, base coin; base bullion. 7.Morally low. Hence: Low-minded; unworthy; without dignity of sentiment; ignoble; mean; illiberal; menial; as, a base fellow; base motives; base occupations. "A cruel act of a base and a cowardish mind." "Base ingratitude." 8.Not classical or correct. "Base Latin." 9.Deep or grave in sound; as, the base tone of a violin. (In this sense, commonly written bass) 10.(Law) Not held by honorable service; as, a base estate, one held by services not honorable; held by villenage. Such a tenure is called base, or low, and the tenant, a base tenant. Base fee, formerly, an estate held at the will of the lord; now, a qualified fee. See note under Fee, n., 4. Base metal. See under Metal. Synonyms: Dishonorable; worthless; ignoble; low-minded; infamous; sordid; degraded. Base, Vile, Mean. These words, as expressing moral qualities, are here arranged in the order of their strength, the strongest being placed first. Base marks a high degree of moral turpitude; vile and mean denote, in different degrees, the lack of what is valuable or worthy of esteem. What is base excites our abhorrence; what is vile provokes our disgust or indignation; what is mean awakens contempt. Base is opposed to high-minded; vile, to noble; mean, to liberal or generous. Ingratitude is base; sycophancy is vile; undue compliances are mean.
Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48
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