amalgam

Where does the word "amalgam" come from? It comes from Arabic al-malgham, passing through Medieval Latin/French before entering English (1400s).

Amalgam’s story begins in Arabic: al-malgham meant “a softening substance.” A softening ointment, used in alchemical texts for metal mixtures. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin/French as amalgame. Carried into European alchemical vocabulary for mercury-metal mixtures. It reached English by 1400s as amalgam. Settled as the word for any blended mixture. Today, amalgam means a mixture or blend of different elements or substances.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval al-malgham "a softening substance", a softening ointment, used in alchemical texts for metal mixtures.
2. Stage 2 · Medieval Latin/French · medieval amalgame "a mixture of mercury with another metal", carried into European alchemical vocabulary for mercury-metal mixtures.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s amalgam "a mixture or blend of different elements", settled as the word for any blended mixture.