zinc

Meaning

Noun

1. 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.
2. A single atom of this element.
3. A corrugated iron roof.
4. (colloquial) A zinc countertop.

Verb

1. To electroplate with zinc.
2. To coat with sunblock incorporating zinc oxide.

Synonyms

galvanize

Zn

coat with zinc

atomic number 30

spelter

tin

galvanized

gold

hot dip

roof

silver

tinfoil

zinc-plate

zincify

kind of mineral

roofing material

zinc-coated

bell metal

zincum

bronze

copper

cornetto

corrugated iron

galvanised

Pronounced as (IPA)

/zɪŋk/

Etymology

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.