Britannia metal

or britannia metal

noun

a white alloy of tin, antimony, and copper in varying proportions, sometimes with small amounts of zinc, lead, and bismuth, used for tableware and as an antifriction material.

Origin of Britannia metal

First recorded in 1810–20

Words Nearby Britannia metal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Britannia metal in a sentence

It was a big, bold-looking one, of true Britannia metal, with vast internal capacity and a gaping mouth.
The Lighthouse | R.M. Ballantyne
He was convinced his own dear dad was a tin Baronet; or, at best, Britannia-metal.
When Ghost Meets Ghost | William Frend De Morgan
Smashfeeder, a Britannia-metal spoon,—the best imitation shillings are made from this metal.
The Slang Dictionary | John Camden Hotten
Another one of true Britannia metal is being sent to our gallant ally.
Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, October 7, 1914 | Various
Britannia-metal, brit-an′i-a-met′l, n. a metallic alloy largely used in the manufacture of spoons, &c.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) | Various

British Dictionary definitions for Britannia metal

Britannia metal

noun

an alloy of low melting point consisting of tin with 5–10 per cent antimony, 1–3 per cent copper, and sometimes small quantities of zinc, lead, or bismuth: used for decorative purposes and for bearings

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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