Gold
gold
(ɡəʊld
) noun
1
a a dense inert bright yellow element that is the most malleable and ductile metal, occurring in rocks and alluvial deposits: used as a monetary standard and in jewellery, dentistry, and plating. The radioisotope gold-198 (radiogold), with a half-life of 2.69 days, is used in radiotherapy. Symbol: Au; atomic no: 79; atomic wt: 196.96654; valency: 1 or 3; relative density: 19.3; melting pt: 1064.43°C; boiling pt: 2857°Crelated adjectives ▶ Related adjectives: aurous, auric
b (as modifier) ■ a gold mine
2 a coin or coins made of this metal
3 money; wealth
4 something precious, beautiful, etc, such as a noble nature (esp in the phrase heart of gold)
5
a a deep yellow colour, sometimes with a brownish tinge
b (as adjective) ■ a gold carpet
6 archery the bull's eye of a target, scoring nine points
7 short for
gold medal
[Old English gold; related to Old Norse gull, Gothic gulth, Old High German gold]
