Word
pewter
US/ˈpjutɝ/
UK/pjˈuːtɐ/
Definition
n. a metal alloy made mostly of tin, often used to make decorative objects or kitchen tools. It has a soft, grayish color and was very popular in the past for making cups and plates.
n. an alloy consisting primarily of tin, often with small amounts of copper, antimony, or lead. Historically significant for the production of tableware and decorative items, it is valued for its malleability and lustrous finish.
Examples
“The old kitchen had a set of pewter plates.”
“The museum displayed several pieces of 17th-century pewter, including a large tankard and a set of spoons.”
“While modern pewter is typically lead-free for safety, historical specimens often contain trace amounts of lead, which contributed to their durability and distinctive weight.”
Examples
simple
“The old kitchen had a set of pewter plates.”
contextual
“The museum displayed several pieces of 17th-century pewter, including a large tankard and a set of spoons.”
complex
“While modern pewter is typically lead-free for safety, historical specimens often contain trace amounts of lead, which contributed to their durability and distinctive weight.”
Real-World Examples
“A pewter tankard, a wooden junction box and a faded box containing six Christmas cards were included in the haul.” “Peeters is famous for including miniature self-portraits in her work, often reflections of herself in pewter or glass objects, or on shiny fruit or vegetables.” Etymology
From Middle English peutre, from Old French peautre, from Vulgar Latin *peltrum (“pewter”), which is of uncertain origin. Possibly related to spelter.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/pewter