zinc-grey | zinc-gray, n.

zinc-grey
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zinc-grey_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
First published 1921; not fully revised

# zinc-grey | zinc-graynoun

## Factsheet

### What does the noun zinc-grey mean?

There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun zinc-grey. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

#### Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

### Where does the noun zinc-grey come from?

Earliest known use

1880s

The earliest known use of the noun zinc-grey is in the 1880s.

OED's earliest evidence for zinc-grey is from 1881, in Transactions of American Institute of Mining Engineers 1880–1.

### Nearby entries

1. zincate, n. 1872–
2. zinc-blende, n. 1842–
3. zinc-bloom, n. 1842–
4. zinc chloride, n. 1851–
5. zinc chromate, n. 1851–
6. zinc chrome, n. 1892–
7. zinc-dust, n. 1877–
8. zinc finger, n. 1987–
9. zinc-foil, n. 1851–
10. zinc green, n. 1847–
11. zinc-grey | zinc-gray, n.1881–
12. zincian, adj. 1930–
13. zincic, adj. 1860–
14. zinciferous, adj. 1820–
15. zincification, n. 1891–
16. zincify, v. 1801–
17. zinc-iron, n. & adj. 1849–
18. zincite, n. 1854–
19. zinckenite, n. 1835–
20. zinco, n. 1887–
21. zinco-, comb. form

## Meaning & use

1. 1881–
   a. Zinc-dust obtained by grinding in oil, used as a preservative paint for ironwork; b. a colour resembling that of zinc.
   1. 1881

      > Zinc-gray, see Zinc-dust.

      Transactions of American Institute of Mining Engineers 1880–1 vol. 9 192
   2. 1900

      > Zinc grey is very much worn.

      Westminster Gazette 11 January 3/2
   1. mode 1868–
      Any of several shades of grey (see quot. 1930). Now rare.
   2. elephant 1875–
      In full elephant-colour: a fashion shade simulating the grey colour of the elephant. Cf. elephant-grey, n.
   3. zinc-grey 1881–
      a. Zinc-dust obtained by grinding in oil, used as a preservative paint for ironwork; b. a colour resembling that of zinc.
   4. elephant-grey 1896–
      = elephant, n. 1f.
   5. peacock-grey 1935–
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. French grey 1564–
      A soft dove grey (see quot 1862).
   2. Payne's grey 1832–
      A composite pigment composed of blue, red, black, and white permanent pigments, used esp. for watercolours.
   3. mineral grey 1869–
      A pale blue-grey pigment obtained in the process of making ultramarine from lapis lazuli.
   4. zinc-grey 1881–
      a. Zinc-dust obtained by grinding in oil, used as a preservative paint for ironwork; b. a colour resembling that of zinc.
   5. charcoal grey 1907–
      a. A dark grey powder or pigment made from charcoal; b. a dark grey colour.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

Originally published as part of the entry for zinc, n.

zinc, n. was first published in 1921; not fully revised.