Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.
pewter
This material is characterized by its dull, matte luster and a soft, malleable texture, often evoking a sense of rustic antiquity or colonial-era craftsmanship. It is frequently associated with traditional household items like mugs and platters, occupying a middle ground between the luxury of silver and the utility of iron.
As a mass noun referring to a specific alloy, it is uncountable. It describes the substance itself rather than individual objects; to refer to a single item, one must use a partitive construction such as a piece of pewter or a pewter vessel.
Meanings
Examples
The museum displays a collection of antique pewter plates from the eighteenth century.
I wonder if this old tankard is actually pewter or just polished aluminum.
The tavern served ale in heavy pewter mugs.
Pewter is much softer than steel and easier to engrave.
Look at the dull grey luster of this pewter bowl.
He inherited a set of pewter spoons that had been in the family for generations.
The artisan carefully poured the molten pewter into the mold.
Wait, is that a pewter chalice on the altar?
Many colonial households used pewter for their everyday dinnerware.