pewter Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any of various alloys of tin with small amounts of other metals (especially lead)

WordNet


Pew"ter noun
Etymology
OE. pewtyr, OF. peutre, peautre, piautre: cf. D. peauter, piauter, It. peltro, Sp. & Pg. peltre, LL. peutreum, pestrum. Cf. Spelter.
Definitions
  1. A hard, tough, but easily fusible, alloy, originally consisting of tin with a little lead, but afterwards modified by the addition of copper, antimony, or bismuth.
  2. Utensils or vessels made of pewter, as dishes, porringers, drinking vessels, tankards, pots. Pewter was formerly much used for domestic utensils. Inferior sorts contain a large proportion of lead.

Webster 1913