bell metal

American  

noun

1. an alloy of about 80 percent copper and 20 percent tin, sometimes with small amounts of lead and zinc, having low damping qualities and used especially for bells.

---

bell metal British  

noun

1. an alloy of copper and tin, with some zinc and lead, used in casting bells

---

Etymology

Origin of bell metal

First recorded in 1535–45

Example Sentences

Bell metal is composed of three parts copper and one of tin.

From A Select Collection of Valuable and Curious Arts and Interesting Experiments, Which are Well Explained and Warranted Genuine and may be Performed Easily, Safely, and at Little Expense. by Unknown, Various

Bell metal is formed of ten parts of copper, and one of tin.

From Popular Lectures on Zoonomia Or The Laws of Animal Life, in Health and Disease by Garnett, Thomas

Bell metal ore, a sulphide of tin, copper, and iron; the mineral stannite.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah

Bell metal should have 77 parts copper and 23 tin.

From The Handy Cyclopedia of Things Worth Knowing A Manual of Ready Reference by Triemens, Joseph