Amalgam Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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amalgam
[ษหmรฆlษกษm ]
Definition
mixture, blend
An amalgam is a mixture or blend of various elements. In a scientific context, it often refers to a combination of metals, particularly in medicine and dentistry, where dental amalgam is used as a filling material. The term can also refer to a mixture of different ideas, cultures, or styles. Amalgams can be found in various disciplines, including chemistry, sociology, and art.
Synonyms
blend, combination, composite, mixture.
Examples of usage
- The dentist used dental amalgam for the filling.
- The festival was an amalgam of cultures and traditions.
- This painting is an amalgam of different artistic styles.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Science
- In chemistry, an amalgam is often a mixture of mercury with another metal, commonly used in dental fillings.
- The process of creating an amalgam involves heating metals until they're liquid and then combining them.
- Amalgams can exhibit unique properties, such as increased strength and resistance to corrosion.
Art
- Artists often use amalgamation techniques to blend different materials, creating innovative sculptures and installations.
- The notion of amalgam can metaphorically apply to art movements, where various styles and influences come together.
- Collage is a form of artistic amalgam, combining paper, photographs, and other materials into a single piece.
Cultural Significance
- In sociology, amalgamation refers to the blending of different cultures or communities to form a new cultural identity.
- The idea of amalgam has been used in discussions about multicultural societies and their interactions.
- Food fusion, where different culinary traditions are mixed, also embodies the concept of amalgamation.
Psychology
- In psychology, amalgams refer to how different experiences can blend in our memories, creating complex narratives.
- The amalgamation of emotions can impact decision-making, as people weigh feelings from various past experiences.
- Cognitive dissonance happens when someone holds conflicting ideas, creating a mental amalgam that leads to stress.
Origin of 'amalgam'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Arabic 'al-malqa', meaning 'the merging' or 'the mixing'.
- It first appeared in English in the late 14th century, originally referring to a mixture of metals.
- The term evolved over time, linking to the idea of coming together or blending.
The word 'amalgam' originates from the Middle English term 'amalgamen', which itself comes from the earlier Latin word 'amalgama', meaning 'to soft metal'. This Latin term is derived from the Greek word 'amalagma', which means 'to soften' or 'to make soft'. Historically, amalgams were primarily associated with the blending of metals, particularly mercury with silver. Their use dates back to ancient civilizations, where they were utilized for various purposes, including coin production and medicinal applications. Over time, the definition broadened to encompass mixtures in various contexts, including cultural and artistic ones. Today, 'amalgam' is used not only in metallurgy but also in sociology and art to denote mixtures that arise from the fusion of different elements.