unmetallic

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English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

un- +‎ metallic

Pronunciation[edit]

Adjective[edit]

unmetallic (not comparable)

  1. Not metallic.
    • 1763, Richard Brookes, “Copper”, in The Natural History of Waters, Earths, Stones, Fossils, and Minerals, volume V, London: J. Newbery, page 121:
      The light duſky blew concretes as well as the green, called by ſome Copper okers, yield a great deal of very good Copper when they are pure, which may be known from their colour and weight ; but thoſe that are more light are mixed with unmetallick earth, and thoſe that are yellow, containing iron oker ; on which account they are the more difficult to be met with, and yield leſs Copper of an inferior ſort.
    • 1778, William Pryce, “Of the Origin and Formation of Metals and Minerals”, in Mineralogia Cornubiensis; A Treatise on Minerals, Mines, and Mining, London: James Phillips, page 6:
      The acid, now impregnated with a new matter, paſſes on ; till meeting with ſome other convenient nidus, it lodges in that, and thereby acquires a freſh impregnation, perhaps at laſt totally unmetallick ; or, for want of meeting with a proper nidus, appears at the ſurface, weakly or ſtrongly tinctured with thoſe principles it had laſt imbibed.
    • 1960, Henry Slesar, “The Delegate from Venus”, in The Works of Henry Slesar:
      The robot bowed. “Thank you, gentlemen,” it said, in sweet, unmetallic accents. “Now if you will please escort me to the meeting place …”

Synonyms[edit]