any of various usu hard and shiny substances that is are ductile and capable of being melted and fused, and is a e.g. iron, copper, or mercury, esp chemical elements, that are good conductors of electricity and heat, form positive ions by loss of electrons, and yield basic oxides and hydroxides
broken stones used in making and repairing roads or ballasting railways; road metal
glass in its molten state
either of the heraldic tinctures gold or silver
= road metal
(in pl) the rails of a railway line
[Middle English via Old French from Latin metallum mine, metal, from Greek metallon]