patina

[pat-n-uh, puh-tee-nuh]

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noun

a film or incrustation, usually green, produced by oxidation on the surface of old bronze and often esteemed as being of ornamental value.

a similar film or coloring appearing gradually on some other substance.

a surface calcification of implements, usually indicating great age.

Nearby words

Also patine

[puh-teen] /pəˈtin/.

Origin of patina

1740–50; < Italian: coating < Latin: pan. See paten

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for patina

Organicness, too, can offer a patina of healthfulness to unsavory substances.
Your Health Food’s Hidden Sugar Bomb|Michael Schulson|July 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sandoval has also managed to burnish his image with a patina of integrity in the scandal-scarred Silver State.
Nevada Guv Faces Fans and Foes in Reelection|Lloyd Green|March 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The latter provided numbers, passion, righteousness, self-righteousness, and a patina of faux populist clout.
The South Has Indeed Risen Again and It’s Called the Tea Party|Jack Schwartz|December 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They grounded the curious and unexpected fabrics with their texture and patina.
Balenciaga’s Nicolas Ghesquiere Shows Whispers of Brilliance in Spring 2013 Collection|Robin Givhan|September 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Are we so in thrall to "truthiness" that we need our exorcist movies to be dressed up with the patina of realness, as well?
What's Real in The Rite|Seth Colter Walls|January 31, 2011|DAILY BEAST
In fact among friends I am now getting to be known as the Patina Kid.
The Abandoned Farmers|Irvin S. Cobb
Patina (L)—an adhesive crust or discoloration produced by weathering of an object.
Handbook of Alabama Archaeology: Part I Point Types|James W. Cambron
Patina is a most fascinating subject, once you get thoroughly into it.
The Abandoned Farmers|Irvin S. Cobb
Copper objects with a sound so-called “noble” patina apparently do not occur.
The Preservation of Antiquities|Friedrich Rathgen
The girls at the windows had nothing for it but to come downstairs, and Patina came with them, for Don Roque brooked no delay.
The Fourth Estate, vol.1|Armando Palacio Valds

British Dictionary definitions for patina

patina

noun plural -nas

a film of oxide formed on the surface of a metal, esp the green oxidation of bronze or copperSee also verdigris (def. 1)

any fine layer on a surfacea patina of frost

the sheen on a surface that is caused by much handling

Word Origin for patina

C18: from Italian: coating, from Latin: patina ²

noun plural -nae (-ˌniː)

a broad shallow dish used in ancient Rome

Word Origin for patina

from Latin, from Greek patanē platter

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

Word Origin and History for patina

patina

"greenish film on old bronze," 1748, from French patine (18c.), from Italian patina, perhaps from Latin patina "dish, pan" (see pan (n.)), on the notion of encrustation on ancient bronze dishes. Sense of "refinement, cultural sophistication" first recorded 1933.