zinc

¹zinc

noun, often attributive \ˈziŋk\

Definition of ZINC

: a bluish-white metallic element that is ductile when pure but in the commercial form is brittle at ordinary temperatures and becomes ductile on slight heating, occurs abundantly in minerals, is an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals, and is used especially in alloys and as a protective coating in galvanizing iron and steel — see element table

Origin of ZINC

German Zink

First Known Use: 1651

Rhymes with ZINC

blink, brink, chink, clink, dink, drink, fink, gink, ink, jink, kink, link, mink, pink, plink, prink, rink, shrink, sink, skink, slink, stink, swink, sync, think, wink

²zinc

verb

zinced or zincked \ˈziŋ(k)t\ zinc·ing or zinck·ing \ˈziŋ-kiŋ\

Definition of ZINC

transitive verb

: to treat or coat with zinc : galvanize

First Known Use of ZINC

1841

zinc

noun \ˈziŋk\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ZINC

: a bluish white crystalline bivalent metallic element of low to intermediate hardness that is an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals—symbol Zn; see element table

zinc

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Metallic chemical element, chemical symbol Zn, atomic number 30. Zinc is a bluish silver metal, ductile when very pure but brittle otherwise. It forms brass (with copper) and many other alloys. Its major use is in galvanizing iron, steel, and other metals. Zinc is an essential trace element, particularly in red blood cells; in snails, it corresponds to iron in the blood of vertebrates. Zinc oxide is used as a pigment, ultraviolet light absorber (to prevent sunburn), dietary supplement and seed treatment, and photoconductor. Zinc's many other compounds (in which it has valence 2 or, rarely, 1) are used in industrial and consumer applications, including as pesticides, pigments, mordants (see dye), fluxes, and wood preservatives.