Prince Rupert's metal

Prince Rupert's metal
Metal Met"al (? or ?; 277), n. [F. m['e]tal, L. metallum metal, mine, Gr. ? mine; cf. Gr. ? to search after. Cf. {Mettle}, {Medal}.] 1. (Chem.) An elementary substance, as sodium, calcium, or copper, whose oxide or hydroxide has basic rather than acid properties, as contrasted with the nonmetals, or metalloids. No sharp line can be drawn between the metals and nonmetals, and certain elements partake of both acid and basic qualities, as chromium, manganese, bismuth, etc. [1913 Webster]

Note: Popularly, the name is applied to certain hard, fusible metals, as gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, zinc, nickel, etc., and also to the mixed metals, or metallic alloys, as brass, bronze, steel, bell metal, etc. [1913 Webster]

2. Ore from which a metal is derived; -- so called by miners. --Raymond. [1913 Webster]

3. A mine from which ores are taken. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Slaves . . . and persons condemned to metals. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]

4. The substance of which anything is made; material; hence, constitutional disposition; character; temper. [1913 Webster]

Not till God make men of some other metal than earth. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

5. Courage; spirit; mettle. See {Mettle}. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Note: The allusion is to the temper of the metal of a sword blade. --Skeat. [1913 Webster]

6. The broken stone used in macadamizing roads and ballasting railroads. [1913 Webster]

7. The effective power or caliber of guns carried by a vessel of war. [1913 Webster]

8. Glass in a state of fusion. --Knight. [1913 Webster]

9. pl. The rails of a railroad. [Eng.] [1913 Webster]

{Base metal} (Chem.), any one of the metals, as iron, lead, etc., which are readily tarnished or oxidized, in contrast with the noble metals. In general, a metal of small value, as compared with gold or silver.

{Fusible metal} (Metal.), a very fusible alloy, usually consisting of bismuth with lead, tin, or cadmium.

{Heavy metals} (Chem.), the metallic elements not included in the groups of the alkalies, alkaline earths, or the earths; specifically, the heavy metals, as gold, mercury, platinum, lead, silver, etc.

{Light metals} (Chem.), the metallic elements of the alkali and alkaline earth groups, as sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.; also, sometimes, the metals of the earths, as aluminium.

{Muntz metal}, an alloy for sheathing and other purposes, consisting of about sixty per cent of copper, and forty of zinc. Sometimes a little lead is added. It is named from the inventor.

{Prince's metal} (Old Chem.), an alloy resembling brass, consisting of three parts of copper to one of zinc; -- also called {Prince Rupert's metal}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Prince Rupert's metal — Prince Prince, n. [F., from L. princeps, cipis, the first, chief; primus first + capere to take. See {Prime}, a., and {Capacious}.] 1. The one of highest rank; one holding the highest place and authority; a sovereign; a monarch; originally… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • prince rupert's metal — ˈrüpə(r)ts noun Usage: usually capitalized P&R Etymology: after Prince Rupert died 1682, its inventor : prince s metal * * * a brass composed of from about 60 to 85 percent copper and about 15 to 40 percent zinc, used to imitate gold. Also called …   Useful english dictionary

  • Prince Rupert's metal — noun see prince s metal * * * a brass composed of from about 60 to 85 percent copper and about 15 to 40 percent zinc, used to imitate gold. Also called Prince s metal. [1690 1700] …   Useful english dictionary

  • Prince Rupert's metal — a brass composed of from about 60 to 85 percent copper and about 15 to 40 percent zinc, used to imitate gold. Also called Prince s metal. [1690 1700] * * * …   Universalium

  • Prince Rupert's Drop — Prince Rupert s Drops Prince Rupert s Drops (also known as Rupert s Balls or Dutch tears[1]) are a glass curiosity created by dripping hot molten glass into cold water. The glass cools into a tadpole shaped droplet with a long, thin tail. The …   Wikipedia

  • Prince Rupert of the Rhine — Infobox Monarch name = Rupert title = Count Palatine of the Rhine spouse = issue =Dudley Bard (1666 86) [http://www.thepeerage.com/p10142.htm#i101411 Rupert von der Pfalz, Duke of Cumberland] ] Ruperta (1671) titles = Count Palatine of the Rhine… …   Wikipedia

  • Prince's metal — or Prince Rupert s metal is a type of alpha brass containing 75% copper and 25% zinc. Due to its beautiful yellow color, it is used as an imitation of gold.The alloy was named in honour of Prince Rupert of the Rhine.ee also*Pinchbeck… …   Wikipedia

  • Prince's metal — Prince Prince, n. [F., from L. princeps, cipis, the first, chief; primus first + capere to take. See {Prime}, a., and {Capacious}.] 1. The one of highest rank; one holding the highest place and authority; a sovereign; a monarch; originally… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Prince — Prince, n. [F., from L. princeps, cipis, the first, chief; primus first + capere to take. See {Prime}, a., and {Capacious}.] 1. The one of highest rank; one holding the highest place and authority; a sovereign; a monarch; originally applied to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Prince consort — Prince Prince, n. [F., from L. princeps, cipis, the first, chief; primus first + capere to take. See {Prime}, a., and {Capacious}.] 1. The one of highest rank; one holding the highest place and authority; a sovereign; a monarch; originally… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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