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.

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bell metal British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of bell metal

First recorded in 1535–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bell metal

Varying proportions of copper and tin give gun metal, bell metal, babbitt metal and many another alloy, the greater the percentage of tin the harder being the resulting composition.

From Time Magazine Archive

The preserving pan should be made of bell metal, flat at the bottom, very large in diameter, but not deep.

From The Virginia Housewife by Randolph, Mary

It is used in some metallic alloys, as type metal and bell metal, and also for medical preparations, which are in general emetics or cathartics.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah

Women of the milkman caste wear bangles of bell metal, often up to the elbow.

From Folkways A Study of the Sociological Importance of Usages, Manners, Customs, Mores, and Morals by Sumner, William Graham

Salt a pint meal, wet with one quart milk, sweeten and put into a strong cloth, brass or bell metal vessel, stone or earthern pot, secure from wet and boil 12 hours.

From American Cookery The Art of Dressing Viands, Fish, Poultry, and Vegetables by Simmons, Amelia