BIMETALLIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does bimetallic mean? 

• BIMETALLIC (adjective)
  The adjective BIMETALLIC has 2 senses:

1. pertaining to a monetary system based on two metals

2. formed of two different metals or alloys; especially in sheets bonded together

  Familiarity information: BIMETALLIC used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BIMETALLIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Pertaining to a monetary system based on two metals

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

bimetallic; bimetallistic

Context example:

in a bimetallistic system both gold and silver can constitute legal tender

Pertainym:

bimetallism (a monetary standard under which the basic unit of currency is defined by stated amounts of two metals (usually gold and silver) with values set at a predetermined ratio)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Formed of two different metals or alloys; especially in sheets bonded together

Synonyms:

bimetal; bimetallic

Similar:

metal; metallic (containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal)

Derivation:

bimetal (material made by bonding together sheets of two different metals)

 Context examples 

We will suppose that a minister needs information as to a point which involves the Navy, India, Canada and the bimetallic question; he could get his separate advices from various departments upon each, but only Mycroft can focus them all, and say offhand how each factor would affect the other.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)