noble metal

English

Noun

noble metal (plural noble metals)

  1. (inorganic chemistry, alchemy) A metal resistant to corrosion, oxidizing and tarnishing, such as gold or platinum.
    Synonym: perfect metal

Usage notes

So termed because they resist being made base. Chemists generally recognize them as the platinum group of elements, plus gold. Opinions vary on whether some other unreactive metals, such as copper, silver, rhenium, or mercury, should be included.

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