speculum metal

noun

1. any of several bronze alloys with a high tin content, often containing other materials, as silver, brass, lead, zinc, or arsenic, used for making mirrors and reflectors.

speculum metal

noun

1. a white hard brittle corrosion-resistant alloy of copper (55–70 per cent) and tin with smaller amounts of other metals. It takes a high polish and is used for mirrors, lamp reflectors, ornamental ware, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of speculum metal¹

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Mr. Edwards, in the Nautical Almanack for 1787, gave the following instructions for making speculum metal.

From Project Gutenberg

They are made of speculum metal, of various forms and sizes, but always portable.

From Project Gutenberg

Bell-metal, gun-metal, and speculum-metal are mere varieties of bronze.

From Project Gutenberg

The specula are made of speculum metal, which is a composition of certain proportions of copper and tin.

From Project Gutenberg

Furnaces for the speculum metal were built, stands erected, and the 40-foot telescope fairly begun.

From Project Gutenberg