white metal

American  

noun

1. any of various light-colored alloys, as Babbitt metal or Britannia metal.

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white metal British  

noun

1. Also called: antifriction metal.  any of various alloys, such as Babbitt metal, used for bearings

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Etymology

Origin of white metal

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

Surging demand for physical silver has pushed the market for the white metal out of whack.

From MarketWatch

The recent rally in silver is notable, with the white metal exhibiting significant volatility as it has attracted a wave of retail investors in a repeat of previous frenzies over the metal.

From Barron's

But the U.K.’s stock market success is much broader than silver—and the rally likely has legs that will outlast what increasingly looks like a dangerous charge skyward in the volatile white metal.

From Barron's

Earlier, the white metal traded as low as $70.23, marking a 9.9% fall that, if sustained through the close, would be the worst day for silver in years.

From Barron's

Silver’s fall to near $70 after its Sunday high marked its worst day in almost five years, underscoring the volatility behind the surge in the white metal.

From Barron's