Metal \Met"al\ (? or ?; 277), n. [F. m['e]tal, L. metallum
   metal, mine, Gr. ? mine; cf. Gr. ? to search after. Cf.
   Mettle, Medal.]
   1. (Chem.) An elementary substance, as sodium, calcium, or
      copper, whose oxide or hydroxide has basic rather than
      acid properties, as contrasted with the nonmetals, or
      metalloids. No sharp line can be drawn between the metals
      and nonmetals, and certain elements partake of both acid
      and basic qualities, as chromium, manganese, bismuth, etc.
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   Note: Popularly, the name is applied to certain hard, fusible
         metals, as gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, zinc,
         nickel, etc., and also to the mixed metals, or metallic
         alloys, as brass, bronze, steel, bell metal, etc.
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   2. Ore from which a metal is derived; -- so called by miners.
      --Raymond.
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   3. A mine from which ores are taken. [Obs.]
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            Slaves . . . and persons condemned to metals. --Jer.
                                                  Taylor.
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   4. The substance of which anything is made; material; hence,
      constitutional disposition; character; temper.
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            Not till God make men of some other metal than
            earth.                                --Shak.
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   5. Courage; spirit; mettle. See Mettle. --Shak.
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   Note: The allusion is to the temper of the metal of a sword
         blade. --Skeat.
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   6. The broken stone used in macadamizing roads and ballasting
      railroads.
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   7. The effective power or caliber of guns carried by a vessel
      of war.
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   8. Glass in a state of fusion. --Knight.
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   9. pl. The rails of a railroad. [Eng.]
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   Base metal (Chem.), any one of the metals, as iron, lead,
      etc., which are readily tarnished or oxidized, in contrast
      with the noble metals. In general, a metal of small value,
      as compared with gold or silver.

   Fusible metal (Metal.), a very fusible alloy, usually
      consisting of bismuth with lead, tin, or cadmium.

   Heavy metals (Chem.), the metallic elements not included in
      the groups of the alkalies, alkaline earths, or the
      earths; specifically, the heavy metals, as gold, mercury,
      platinum, lead, silver, etc.

   Light metals (Chem.), the metallic elements of the alkali
      and alkaline earth groups, as sodium, lithium, calcium,
      magnesium, etc.; also, sometimes, the metals of the
      earths, as aluminium.

   Muntz metal, an alloy for sheathing and other purposes,
      consisting of about sixty per cent of copper, and forty of
      zinc. Sometimes a little lead is added. It is named from
      the inventor.

   Prince's metal (Old Chem.), an alloy resembling brass,
      consisting of three parts of copper to one of zinc; --
      also called Prince Rupert's metal.
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