zinc

CEFRB2

/ˈzɪŋk/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A common bluish-white metal used in batteries and coatings.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    A corrugated iron roof.

Examples

  • Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.

  • This metal is called zinc.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
3
Synonyms
1

Also pronounced

  • /ˈziŋk/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. An atom of this element.

  2. A chemical element (symbol Zn) with an atomic number of 30, a blue-silvery metal that is slightly brittle at room temperature and tarnishes slightly in moist air.

verb

Extra meaning

  1. To electroplate with zinc.

More examples

In context

  • As for daytime sun protection, Dr. Bowe said mineral sunscreens made with zinc oxide may be gentler on sensitized skin than chemical formulas.

  • Then, three workmen throwing dice for drinks. And their heads come sharply together as they count the scores. And so violently do they throw the dice that they shoot off "the zinc" on to the floor.

  • Even if there were a Chef and Brewer near Marble Arch, the name suggests a pint and pie, not a prawn and tomato sandwich and “a dock glass of white port off the zinc”; i.e., a small glass of a fine aperitif, at the counter […]

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Brass is an alloy of copper and blank, often used for musical instruments.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

Borrowed from German Zink, related to Zinke (“point, prong”), from Middle High German zinke, from Old High German zinko (“prong, tine”), allied to zint (“a jag, point”), from Proto-Germanic *tindaz (“prong, pinnacle”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃dónts (“tooth, projection”). Cognate with Old English tind (“tine, prong”), Middle Low German tinde, Icelandic tindur (“spike, tooth of a rake or harrow, pinnacle, peak, battlement”). See also Dutch tinne (“battlement”), German Zinne (“pinnacle, battlement”), Danish tinde (“pinnacle, battlement”), Swedish tinne (“tooth of a rake”), More at tine. Doublet of zincum.