Lewis & Short

† ŏrĭchalcum (also erroneously written aurĭchalcum, as if from aurum), i, n., = ὀρείχαλκος, yellow copper ore, also the brass made from it.

  1. I. Lit., Cic. Off. 3, 23, 92; Hor. A. P. 202: album, Verg. A. 12, 87.
    It was highly prized by the ancients, Plaut. Curc. 1, 3, 46; id. Mil. 3, 1, 61; id. Ps. 2, 3, 22; cf. Plin. 34, 2, 2, § 4 (al. aurichalci).
  2. II. Transf., of brass implements.
    So of a brazen tuba, Val. Fl. 3, 61.
    Of arms of brass, Stat. Th. 10, 660.