alloyed

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al·loy

(ăl′oi′, ə-loi′)

1. A metallic solid or liquid that is composed of a homogeneous mixture of two or more metals or of metals and nonmetal or metalloid elements, usually for the purpose of imparting or increasing specific characteristics or properties: Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper.

2. A mixture; an amalgam: "Television news has ... always been an alloy of journalism and show business" (Bill Moyers).

3. The relative degree of mixture with a base metal; fineness.

4. Something added that lowers value or purity.

tr.v. (ə-loi′, ăl′oi′) al·loyed, al·loy·ing, al·loys

1. To combine (metals) to form an alloy.

2. To combine; mix: idealism that was alloyed with political skill.

3. To debase by the addition of an inferior element.

[Alteration (influenced by French aloi) of obsolete allay, from Middle English alay, from Old North French allai, from allayer, to alloy, from Latin alligāre, to bind : ad-, ad- + ligāre, to bind; see leig- in Indo-European roots.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Adj.	1.	alloyed - (used of metals) debased by mixture with an inferior element impure - combined with extraneous elements
	2.	alloyed - (used of metals) blended to obtain a desired property blended - combined or mixed together so that the constituent parts are indistinguishable

alloyed

adjective

Mixed with other substances:

adulterated, doctored, impure, loaded, sophisticated.

References in classic literature ?

Of all youth's passions and pleasures, this is the most common and least alloyed; and every flash of Alan's black eyes; every aspect of his curly head; every graceful reach, every easy, stand-off attitude of waiting; ay, and down to his shirt-sleeves and wrist-links, were seen by John through a luxurious glory.

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I could not decide whether she desired the return of her husband because she loved him, or because she dreaded the tongue of scandal; and I was perturbed by the suspicion that the anguish of love contemned was alloyed in her broken heart with the pangs, sordid to my young mind, of wounded vanity.

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But to the knowledge of human fecundity and sterility all the wisdom and education of your rulers will not attain; the laws which regulate them will not be discovered by an intelligence which is alloyed with sense, but will escape them, and they will bring children into the world when they ought not.