| Pewter | n. [ OE. pewtyr, OF. peutre, peautre, piautre: cf. D. peauter, piauter, It. peltro, Sp. & Pg. peltre, LL. peutreum, pestrum. Cf. Spelter. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Utensils or vessels made of pewter, as dishes, porringers, drinking vessels, tankards, pots. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ Pewter was formerly much used for domestic utensils. Inferior sorts contain a large proportion of lead. [ 1913 Webster ] |
