Ormolu

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  ormolu \or`mo*lu"\ ([^o]r`m[-o]*l[udd]"), n. [F. or moulu; or
     gold (L. aurum) + moulu, p. p. of moudre to grind, to mill,
     L. molere. See {Aureate}, and {Mill}.]
     A variety of brass made to resemble gold by the use of less
     zinc and more copper in its composition than ordinary brass
     contains. Its golden color is often heightened by means of


     lacquer of some sort, or by use of acids. Called also {mosaic
     gold}.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     {ormolu varnish}, a varnish applied to metals, as brass, to
        give the appearance of gold.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  ormolu
       n : brass that looks like gold; used to decorate furniture