aurichalcum
|au-ri-chal-cum|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔrɪˈkælkəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌɔːrɪˈkælkəm/
gold-like metal
Etymology
'aurichalcum' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'aurichalcum,' where the element 'auri-' was associated with Latin 'aurum' meaning 'gold' and 'chalcum' reflects Greek 'khalkos' meaning 'copper.'
'aurichalcum' developed from the Greek term 'ὀρείχαλκος' (oreikhalkos, literally 'mountain copper' from 'oros' = 'mountain' + 'khalkos' = 'copper'); through Latinization and folk association with Latin 'aurum' it became 'aurichalcum' in Latin and later appears in medieval and early modern texts.
Initially it referred to 'mountain copper' (a copper-like metal); over time, under the influence of Latin 'aurum' and classical descriptions, it came to be interpreted as a 'gold-like' or valuable alloy.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a legendary or ancient metal mentioned in classical sources (notably Plato's account of Atlantis), described as a valuable, gold-like alloy; often identified with orichalcum or thought to be a brass-like alloy.
In Plato's account of Atlantis, temples and walls were said to be ornamented with aurichalcum alongside gold.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/20 13:41