AMALGAMS Meaning and
Definition
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Amalgams refer to a substance or material that is created through the combination or merger of different elements, compounds, or components. It is an amalgamation, a blending, or a union of diverse elements into a cohesive whole. The term is often used in various fields, such as chemistry, dentistry, and social sciences, to describe different types of amalgamations.
In the field of chemistry, an amalgam is a type of alloy containing mercury as one of its components. These alloys are typically formed when mercury is mixed with another metal, mostly silver or tin. Dental amalgams are widely used in dentistry as a filling material for teeth that have been affected by decay or damage. They are created by combining liquid mercury with powdered metals, typically silver, tin, and copper.
Beyond chemistry, in the social sciences, amalgams refer to blended or mixed societies or groups where different cultures or ethnicities coexist. These societies often arise through historical processes like colonialism or migration, resulting in a fusion of diverse customs, languages, and traditions.
Furthermore, in linguistics, an amalgam can refer to the blending or merging of words or phrases from different languages to form a new linguistic expression. This phenomenon is often observed in creole languages, which emerge from the mixing of multiple languages from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Overall, the term "amalgams" encompasses various contexts, referring to amalgamations ranging from chemical alloys and dental substances to social, cultural, and linguistic mixtures.
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Etymology of AMALGAMS
The word "amalgam" originates from the Latin word "amalgama", which can be traced back to the Greek word "malagma". "Malagma" referred to a soft ointment or plaster used to soothe wounds. It further derived from the Greek word "malassein", meaning "to soften". The term "amalgam" gained its specific meaning in chemistry, referring to a mixture or alloy typically consisting of mercury combined with another metal. The plural form, "amalgams", simply represents the pluralization of the word.
Similar spelling words for AMALGAMS
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