Definition of "silver" []

• A lustrous white, ductile, malleable metallic element, occurring both uncombined and in ores such as argentite, having the highest thermal and electrical conductivity of the metals. It is highly valued for jewelry, tableware, and other ornamental use and is widely used in coinage, photography, dental and soldering alloys, electrical contacts, and printed circuits. Atomic number 47; atomic weight 107.87; melting point 960.8°C; boiling point 2,212°C; specific gravity 10.50; valence 1, 2. See Table at element. (noun)
• This metallic element as a commodity or medium of exchange. (noun)
• Coins made of this metallic element. (noun)
• A medal made of silver awarded to one placing second in a competition, as in the Olympics. (noun)
• Domestic articles, such as tableware, made of or plated with silver. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "To help remember that the order of the bells is silver, gold, brass and iron, the old Mnemonics advises us to invent a story -- the following will answer: A couple of lovers once took a sleigh-ride, the horses carrying _silver_ bells."
• ""Roll on, silver moon," at which I suggested to the party there should be a big premium, just now, on "_silver_ moons.""
• "Why "silver sound"? why "music with her _silver_ sound"? what say you, Simon _Catling_?"