bimetallic adjective. [bʌɪmɪ'talɪk] L19.
[French bimétallique, from BI- + métallique METALLIC adjective.]
1. Using gold and silver as legal tender to any amount at a fixed ratio to each other. L19.

2. gen. Made of or using two metals. E20.
bimetallic strip a temperature-sensitive device (used in thermostats etc.), made of two bands of different metals, one of which expands more than the other on heating, causing the strip to bend.

■ 'bimetal noun & adjective (a) noun a bimetallic object or material; (b) adjective bimetallic: M20.

■ bi'metallism noun the system of bimetallic currency L19.

■ bi'metallist noun an advocate of bimetallism L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲