orichalc

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. The equivalent in English of the Greek ὀρείχαλκος, the name of a metallic alloy or metal of brilliant luster, mentioned by Greek authors of a very early date, and considered by them as worthy to be classed with gold and silver in respect of value. Plato, while often speaking of it, admits that orichalc was no longer to be had in his time; and some (Aristotle, it is said, among them) deny that any such metal ever existed. The word passed into Latin under the form of orichalcum, and later that of aurichalcum. Although sometimes used as the name of brass ⟨as by Strabo, who, with as near an approach to accuracy as was possible in those days, describes the method of manufacturing that metal and calls the alloy orichalcum), it had in general — even down to the middle ages — a more or less uncertain meaning, standing sometimes for an entirely ideal and very precious substance and sometimes for an ordinary metal or alloy (as copper or bronze), but having a peculiar value on account of the manner in which it was made, or the locality whence it came.