metallic(a = adj.all) metal - containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal; "a metallic compound"; "metallic luster"; "the strange metallic note of the meadow lark, suggesting the clash of vibrant blades"

Derived forms noun metal₂, noun metal₁

Antonym: nonmetallic

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CIDE DICTIONARY

metallic, a. [L. metallicus, fr. metallum: cf. F. métallique. See Metal.].

Of or pertaining to a metal; of the nature of metal; resembling metal; as, a metallic appearance; a metallic alloy. [1913 Webster]
Of, pertaining to, or characterized by, the essential and implied properties of a metal, as contrasted with a nonmetal or metalloid; conductive of electricity; basic; forming positive ions in solution; antacid. [1913 Webster]

Metallic iron, iron in the state of the metal, as distinquished from its ores, as magnetic iron. -- Metallic paper, paper covered with a thin solution of lime, whiting, and size. When written upon with a pewter or brass pencil, the lines can hardly be effaced. -- Metallic tinking (Med.), a sound heard in the chest, when a cavity communicating with the air passages contains both air and liquid.

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

metallic, adj.
1 of, consisting of, or characteristic of metal or metals.
2 sounding sharp and ringing, like struck metal.
3 having the sheen or lustre of metals.

Derivative

metallically adv.

Etymology

L metallicus f. Gk metallikos (as METAL)

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THESAURUS

metallic

brassy, brazen, choked, coarse, cracked, croaking, croaky, dry, gruff, guttural, harsh, harsh-sounding, hoarse, husky, metal, metallike, metalline, metalloid, organometallic, ragged, raucid, raucous, rough, roupy, rude, squawking, squawky, stertorous, strangled, thick, throaty, tinny

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