Emily Dickinson Lexicon

A-MAL'GAM, n. [Gr. μαλαγμα, from μαλασσω, to soften. Its usual derivation is certainly erroneous.]

1. A compound of mercury or quicksilver with another metal; any metallic alloy, of which mercury forms an essential constituent part. – Cyc.
2. A mixture or compound of different things. – Burke.