gold

n 1. a bright yellow metal that is very malleable. In dentistry pure gold is very occasionally used as a filling. Alloys are used for crown , inlay , and bridge , either alone or veneered with a tooth-coloured material. Gold alloys are now only rarely used as the metal frame-work for partial dentures, cobalt-chromium alloys being used instead. 2. (in pharmacology) any of several compounds of the metal gold, used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Sodium aurothiomalate (Myocrisin) is administered by intramuscular injection. Common side-effects include mouth ulcers, itching, blood disorders, skin reactions, and inflammation of the colon and kidneys. auranofin is a gold compound administered orally.