metalled
|met-alled|
/ˈmɛt.əld/
(metal)
solid material
Etymology
'metalled' originates from the English verb 'metal', which ultimately derives from Latin 'metallum' and Greek 'metallon', where the Greek 'metallon' meant 'mine' or 'metal'.
'metallon' in Greek became Latin 'metallum', entered Old French/Latin-influenced vocabulary as 'metal' and then Middle English 'metal'; the verb 'to metal' (to cover with metal) arose by verbing the noun, and the specialized road-surfacing sense ('to metal' a road) developed notably in the 19th century, producing the past participle 'metalled'.
Initially it referred to 'metal' or 'ore' (the substance). Over time it developed into a verb meaning 'to cover with metal' and later (especially in British English) acquired the additional sense 'to surface with crushed stone/gravel', so the past participle/adjective 'metalled' now means 'covered with metal' or 'surfaced with road metal'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'metal' meaning 'to cover or coat with metal' (e.g. to plate or sheath).
They metalled the statue to protect it from the elements.
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Verb 2
past tense or past participle form of 'metal' meaning 'to surface (a road) with road metal (crushed stone or gravel)'; chiefly British usage.
Last autumn they metalled the country road to reduce the mud in winter.
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Adjective 1
covered or coated with metal; having a metal layer (adjectival use of the past participle of 'metal').
The metalled helmet shone in the sunlight.
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Adjective 2
(chiefly British) Surfaced with road metal — i.e. covered with crushed stone or gravel to form a road surface (derived from past participle of 'metal' in the road-building sense).
They drove along a quiet metalled lane through the village.
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Last updated: 2026/01/14 02:21