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
- zincate, n.1872–
- zinc-blende, n.1842–
- zinc-bloom, n.1842–
- zinc chloride, n.1851–
- zinc chromate, n.1851–
- zinc chrome, n.1892–
- zinc-dust, n.1877–
- zinc finger, n.1987–
- zinc-foil, n.1851–
- zinc green, n.1847–
- zinc-grey | zinc-gray, n.1881–
- zincian, adj.1930–
- zincic, adj.1860–
- zinciferous, adj.1820–
- zincification, n.1891–
- zincify, v.1801–
- zinc-iron, n. & adj.1849–
- zincite, n.1854–
- zinckenite, n.1835–
- zinco, n.1887–
- zinco-, comb. form
Meaning & use
- 1881–a. Zinc-dust obtained by grinding in oil, used as a preservative paint for ironwork; b. a colour resembling that of zinc.
- 1881
Zinc-gray, see Zinc-dust.
Transactions of American Institute of Mining Engineers 1880–1 vol. 9 192 - 1900
Zinc grey is very much worn.
Westminster Gazette 11 January 3/2
- mode1868–Any of several shades of grey (see quot. 1930). Now rare.
- elephant1875–In full elephant-colour: a fashion shade simulating the grey colour of the elephant. Cf. elephant-grey, n.
- zinc-grey1881–a. Zinc-dust obtained by grinding in oil, used as a preservative paint for ironwork; b. a colour resembling that of zinc.
- elephant-grey1896–= elephant, n. 1f.
- peacock-grey1935–
- French grey1564–A soft dove grey (see quot 1862).
- Payne's grey1832–A composite pigment composed of blue, red, black, and white permanent pigments, used esp. for watercolours.
- mineral grey1869–A pale blue-grey pigment obtained in the process of making ultramarine from lapis lazuli.
- zinc-grey1881–a. Zinc-dust obtained by grinding in oil, used as a preservative paint for ironwork; b. a colour resembling that of zinc.
- charcoal grey1907–a. A dark grey powder or pigment made from charcoal; b. a dark grey colour.