from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Metal \Met"al\ (? or ?; 277), n. [F. m['e]tal, L. metallum
metal, mine, Gr. ? mine; cf. Gr. ? to search after. Cf.
{Mettle}, {Medal}.]
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.
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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.
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2. Ore from which a metal is derived; -- so called by miners.
--Raymond.
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3. A mine from which ores are taken. [Obs.]
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Slaves . . . and persons condemned to metals. --Jer.
Taylor.
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4. The substance of which anything is made; material; hence,
constitutional disposition; character; temper.
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Not till God make men of some other metal than
earth. --Shak.
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5. Courage; spirit; mettle. See {Mettle}. --Shak.
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Note: The allusion is to the temper of the metal of a sword
blade. --Skeat.
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6. The broken stone used in macadamizing roads and ballasting
railroads.
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7. The effective power or caliber of guns carried by a vessel
of war.
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8. Glass in a state of fusion. --Knight.
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9. pl. The rails of a railroad. [Eng.]
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{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}.
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from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Heavy \Heav"y\, a. [Compar. {Heavier}; superl. {Heaviest}.] [OE.
hevi, AS. hefig, fr. hebban to lift, heave; akin to OHG.
hebig, hevig, Icel. h["o]figr, h["o]fugr. See {Heave}.]
1. Heaved or lifted with labor; not light; weighty;
ponderous; as, a heavy stone; hence, sometimes, large in
extent, quantity, or effects; as, a heavy fall of rain or
snow; a heavy failure; heavy business transactions, etc.;
often implying strength; as, a heavy barrier; also,
difficult to move; as, a heavy draught.
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2. Not easy to bear; burdensome; oppressive; hard to endure
or accomplish; hence, grievous, afflictive; as, heavy
yokes, expenses, undertakings, trials, news, etc.
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The hand of the Lord was heavy upon them of Ashdod.
--1 Sam. v. 6.
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The king himself hath a heavy reckoning to make.
--Shak.
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Sent hither to impart the heavy news. --Wordsworth.
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Trust him not in matter of heavy consequence.
--Shak.
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3. Laden with that which is weighty; encumbered; burdened;
bowed down, either with an actual burden, or with care,
grief, pain, disappointment.
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The heavy [sorrowing] nobles all in council were.
--Chapman.
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A light wife doth make a heavy husband. --Shak.
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4. Slow; sluggish; inactive; or lifeless, dull, inanimate,
stupid; as, a heavy gait, looks, manners, style, and the
like; a heavy writer or book.
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Whilst the heavy plowman snores. --Shak.
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Of a heavy, dull, degenerate mind. --Dryden.
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Neither [is] his ear heavy, that it can not hear.
--Is. lix. 1.
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5. Strong; violent; forcible; as, a heavy sea, storm,
cannonade, and the like.
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6. Loud; deep; -- said of sound; as, heavy thunder.
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But, hark! that heavy sound breaks in once more.
--Byron.
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7. Dark with clouds, or ready to rain; gloomy; -- said of the
sky.
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8. Impeding motion; cloggy; clayey; -- said of earth; as, a
heavy road, soil, and the like.
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9. Not raised or made light; as, heavy bread.
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10. Not agreeable to, or suitable for, the stomach; not
easily digested; -- said of food.
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11. Having much body or strength; -- said of wines, or other
liquors.
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12. With child; pregnant. [R.]
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{Heavy artillery}. (Mil.)
(a) Guns of great weight or large caliber, esp. siege,
garrison, and seacoast guns.
(b) Troops which serve heavy guns.
{Heavy cavalry}. See under {Cavalry}.
{Heavy fire} (Mil.), a continuous or destructive cannonading,
or discharge of small arms.
{Heavy metal} (Mil.), large guns carrying balls of a large
size; also, large balls for such guns.
{Heavy metals}. (Chem.) See under {Metal}.
{Heavy weight}, in wrestling, boxing, etc., a term applied to
the heaviest of the classes into which contestants are
divided. Cf. {Feather weight}
(c), under {Feather}.
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Note: Heavy is used in composition to form many words which
need no special explanation; as, heavy-built,
heavy-browed, heavy-gaited, etc.
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