Meaning
Describing the chemical composition or temperature of a mixture of substances that gives the lowest temperature at which the mixture becomes fully molten. A further requirement is that that temperature is lower than the melting point of any of the pure component substances.
Etymology
Origin: Ancient Greek
From Ancient Greek εὔτηκτος (eútēktos, “easily melted”), from εὖ (eû, “well”) + τήκω (tḗkō, “to melt”). Coined as an adjective (along with the noun eutexia) by British scientist Frederick Guthrie in 1884.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
eutectic mixture
NYT Puzzle Appearances
No published puzzle dates on file for this word yet. It is part of the official NYT Spelling Bee word list for 2021, 2023, 2025, 2026.