amalgamation

noun

amal·​gam·​ation ə-ˌmal-gə-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce amalgamation (audio)
1
a
: the action or process of uniting or merging two or more things : the action or process of amalgamating
an opportunity for the amalgamation of the two companies
b
: the state of being amalgamated
2
: the result of amalgamating : amalgam
Opera is an amalgamation of singing, acting, and stagecraft.
3
: merger

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What is the difference between acculturation, assimilation, and amalgamation?

Acculturation is one of several forms of culture contact, and has a couple of closely related terms, including assimilation and amalgamation. Although all three of these words refer to changes due to contact between different cultures, there are notable differences between them. Acculturation is often tied to political conquest or expansion, and is applied to the process of change in beliefs or traditional practices that occurs when the cultural system of one group displaces that of another. Assimilation refers to the process through which individuals and groups of differing heritages acquire the basic habits, attitudes, and mode of life of an embracing culture. Amalgamation refers to a blending of cultures, rather than one group eliminating another (acculturation) or one group mixing itself into another (assimilation).

Examples of amalgamation in a Sentence

an amalgamation of peat moss and vermiculite is a good medium for starting vegetable seedlings
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The final pie is a delightfully easy amalgamation of coconut macaroons and vanilla custard. Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024 The statues are both amalgamations and distillations. Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 Enshrining words in sacred objects such as the Torah or giving them visual presence through Quranic calligraphy, Jews and Muslims give language the heft of a stone statue that can hold the breath of amalgamation and distillation with the grace of Venus or Vishnu. Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 Autumn Best as Amy Best plays Amy, who is an amalgamation of several of Alcala’s victims. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for amalgamation 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin amalgamātiōn-, amalgamātiō "combining of a metal with mercury," from amalgamāre "to combine (a metal) with mercury, amalgamate" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of amalgamation was in 1775

Dictionary Entries Near amalgamation

Cite this Entry

“Amalgamation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amalgamation. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

amalgamation

noun
amal·​gam·​ation ə-ˌmal-gə-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce amalgamation (audio)
1
a
: the act or process of amalgamating
made by the amalgamation of mercury with silver
b
: the state of being amalgamated
2
: a combination of different elements into a single body

More from Merriam-Webster on amalgamation

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