Homonym: amalgam (Blend)
Amalgam is a mixture or blend of different substances, often used in various fields such as chemistry and dentistry. In dentistry, dental amalgam is a common material made from a combination of metals, including silver, tin, copper, and mercury. It is primarily used for filling cavities due to its durability and resistance to wear.
In a broader context, amalgams can refer to any combination of metals or elements. For example, gold amalgam is used in mining to extract gold from ore. The process involves mixing gold with mercury, which forms a compound that can be easily separated from other materials.