orichalc

noun

or·​i·​chalc

variants or orichalch

ˈȯrəˌkalk

plural -s

1

: a yellow metallic substance considered precious by the ancient Greeks

2

: a brass rich in zinc

Word History

Etymology

Latin orichalcum, from Greek oreichalkos, literally, mountain copper, from oros mountain + chalkos copper

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!