terne

[ turn ]

noun

1. terne metal.
2. terneplate.

terne

/ tɜːn /

noun

1. Also calledterne metal an alloy of lead containing tin (10–20 per cent) and antimony (1.5–2 per cent)
2. Also calledterne plate steel plate coated with this alloy

Word History and Origins

Origin of terne¹

C16: perhaps from French terne dull, from Old French ternir to tarnish

Example Sentences

I had to stay and nurse him, the closing time passed and I forgot my dry terne while I was giving him injections.

From Project Gutenberg

Terne, tėrn, n. an inferior tin-plate for roofs and the inside of packing-cases.

From Project Gutenberg

At the second drawing a terne of forty thousand francs obliged me to borrow money.

From Project Gutenberg

Only the simple drawing, the ambe and the terne to be retained; the quarterne and the quine to be abolished.

From Project Gutenberg

Darwin et Wallace, d'expliquer la couleur terne de certaines espces par slection sexuelle?

From Project Gutenberg