ormolu

[ awr-muh-loo ]

noun
  1. Also called mosaic gold. an alloy of copper and zinc used to imitate gold.

  2. Also called bronze doré, gilt bronze. gilded metal, especially cast brass or bronze gilded over fire with an amalgam of gold and mercury, used for furniture mounts and ornamental objects.

  1. gold or gold powder prepared for use in gilding.

Origin of ormolu

1
1755–65; <French or moulu ground gold, equivalent to or (<Latin aurum) + moulu, past participle of moudre to grind <Latin molere

Words Nearby ormolu

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How to use ormolu in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ormolu

ormolu

/ (ˈɔːməˌluː) /


noun
    • a gold-coloured alloy of copper, tin, or zinc used to decorate furniture, mouldings, etc

    • (as modifier): an ormolu clock

  1. gold prepared to be used for gilding

Origin of ormolu

1
C18: from French or moulu ground gold

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