[n. of action f. AMALGAMATE: see -ATION. Cf. mod.Fr. amalgamation, which may be the earlier.]
1. The softening of metals, etc., by union with mercury; the action or process of combining with mercury; and by extension, the intimate combination of two metals into an alloy. Often attrib.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. 1653, 268. Amalgamation is the putting together, solution, or calcination of familiar metals, by Argentum vivum, &c.
1794. Sullivan, View Nat., I. 474. Metals by amalgamation shall be confounded and entirely concealed within each other.
1869. Roscoe, Elem. Chem., 271. For the extraction of silver from the other ores, a process termed amalgamation is employed, in which mercury is used to dissolve the metallic silver.
1875. Ure, Dict. Arts, III. 808. Details of the Amalgamation Process.
b. (See quot.)
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Amalgamation is also applied, in a less proper sense, to a solution of sulphur with mercury. In this sense amalgamation amounts to the same as mollification or softening; in which sense the word is used by some ancient chemists.
2. fig. The action of combining distinct elements, races, associations, into one uniform whole.
1775. De Lolme, Constit. Eng., I. ii. (1784), 24. The amalgamation of the Saxons and Normans.
1824. Coleridge, Aids to Refl., 226. The forced amalgamation of the Patriarchal tradition with the incongruous scheme of Pantheism.
1868. M. Pattison, Academ. Organ., § 2. 45. The amalgamation of County, City, and University police into one Corps.
3. The state or condition of being united with mercury; and by extension, a mixture or union of metals generally.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v., According to these rules, there will always be an amalgamation made.
1874. Boutell, Arms & Arm., ii. 38. Bronze or hardened brass, an amalgamation, that is, of copper with tin.
4. fig. A homogeneous union of what were previously distinct elements, societies, etc.
1828. Macaulay, Hallam, Ess., I. 51. The two hostile elements of which it consists have never been known to form a perfect amalgamation.
1850. Gladstone, Gleanings, V. lii. 204. Reasons … for a close amalgamation between ecclesiastical and civil authority.
