| 单词 | imperfect metal |
| 释义 | > as lemmasimperfect metal imperfect metal n. now historical any metal considered less perfect or valuable than gold and silver, such as lead, tin, iron, and copper (cf. perfect metal n. at perfect adj., n., and adv. Compounds 2); = base metal n. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > metal > base metal > [noun] > other than gold or silver base metal1568 imperfect metal1588 1588 E. Aggas tr. F. de La Noue Politicke & Mil. Disc. xxiii. 300 For they [sc. Empirical Alcumists] affirme that this pouder of proiection once performed, they may by casting a little of it among a greate masse of imperfect mettals reduce ye whole into gold. 1686 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Staffs. v. 198 Why may not these imperfect Metalls..grow..withoutside the stalks of Gorse, as well as the perfect both without and withinside other plants. 1796 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) II. 89 Whereas Copper, Iron, Lead, and Tin cannot well be reduced without such addition: And hence are called Base or Imperfect Metals. 1822 T. Webster Imison's Elem. Sci. & Art (new ed.) II. 214 The lead which in this operation is scorified, and along with it scorifies the imperfect metals. 1942 ELH 9 275 The act of transmutation..was a purifying operation. Its aim was to change the low and imperfect metals into the nature of the higher and purer ones—silver and gold. 2013 L. M. Principe Secrets of Alchemy v. 126 When mixed in due proportion with an imperfect metal, the imperfection of the metal and the plusquamperfection of the stone average out to perfection, that is, to gold. < as lemmas |
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