Electrum
/ɪˈlɛk.trəm/noun
A naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, or a similar alloy made artificially.
Did you know?The Greek word *ēlektron* meant both “amber” and “a shining metal,” and from that same root we get *electric* and *electron* — so the word’s history is literally wired into modern science.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂el-
“to shine, be bright”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἤλεκτρον (ēlektron)
“amber; also a pale gold-colored alloy”
Latin
Latin
electrum
“electrum; a pale gold alloy”
Middle English
English
electrum
“a pale yellow alloy of gold and silver”
Modern English
English
electrum
“a natural or artificial alloy of gold and silver”