putty

¹

[ puht-ee ]

noun

, plural put·ties.

1. a compound of whiting and linseed oil, of a doughlike consistency when fresh, used to secure windowpanes, patch woodwork defects, etc.
2. any of various other compounds used for similar purposes.
3. any of various substances for sealing the joints of tubes or pipes, composed of linseed oil with red lead, white lead, iron oxide, etc.
4. a creamy mixture of lime and water, partially dried and mixed with sand and plaster of Paris to make a finish plaster coat.
5. putty powder.
6. any person or thing easily molded, influenced, etc.:

   We were putty in his hands.

7. light brownish- or yellowish-gray.

verb (used with object)

, put·tied, put·ty·ing.

1. to secure, cover, etc., with putty.

putty

²

[ puht-ee ]

noun

, plural put·ties.

1. puttee.

putty

/ ˈpʌtɪ /

noun

1. a stiff paste made of whiting and linseed oil that is used to fix glass panes into frames and to fill cracks or holes in woodwork, etc
2. any substance with a similar consistency, function, or appearance
3. a mixture of lime and water with sand or plaster of Paris used on plaster as a finishing coat
4. ( as modifier )

   a putty knife

5. See putty powder
6. a person who is easily influenced or persuaded

   he's putty in her hands

7. 1. a colour varying from a greyish-yellow to a greyish-brown or brownish-grey
   2. ( as adjective )

      putty-coloured

8. up to putty informal.
   worthless or useless

verb

1. tr to fix, fill, or coat with putty

Other Words From

• un·puttied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of putty¹

First recorded in 1625–35, putty is from the French word potée, literally, (something) potted. See pot ¹, -ee

Word History and Origins

Origin of putty¹

C17: from French potée a potful

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. up to putty, Australian Slang. worthless or useless.

Example Sentences

Small amounts of cracking can be ignored and add to the charm of the piece—these can often be filled in with wood putty.

From Popular-Science

You can use it to make silly putty with dish soap and water, for example.

From Popular-Science

Sand the entire table, making sure every surface is smooth and removing any debris from the wood putty.

From Popular-Science

Parks and Recreation gave us Nick Offerman’s Ron Swanson, a rugged libertarian who holds zero problematic views and is putty in the hands of strong women.

From Time

David wants to win the family over, and everybody, except Anna, is putty in his hands.

From The Daily Beast

When asked whether he was sexy she replies, "Everyone is putty around him… Look at him."

From The Daily Beast

Now he can just charge out there and do more of this, and in no time the nation will be putty in our hands!

From The Daily Beast

We must ruthlessly accommodate ourselves to a world that has shown, once again, that it is not putty in our hands.

From The Daily Beast

There was no vivacity in his putty-coloured features, but there were promptitude and decision in every abrupt gesture.

From Project Gutenberg

Putty-colored or "acholic" stools occur when bile is deficient, either from obstruction to outflow or from deficient secretion.

From Project Gutenberg

White lime putty is next filled into the groove, being pressed on with a jointing tool, leaving a white joint ⅛ to in.

From Project Gutenberg

Gauged work has very thin joints, as shown at H, formed by dipping the side of the brick in white lime putty.

From Project Gutenberg

Gauged brickwork is set in lime putty instead of common mortar; the finished joints should not be more than 1/32 in.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• docile
• flexible
• limber
• malleable
• manageable
• pliant
• spongy
• supple