pinchbeck
[ pinch-bek ]
/ ˈpɪntʃ bɛk /
noun
an alloy of copper and zinc, used in imitation of gold.
something sham, spurious, or counterfeit.
adjective
made of pinchbeck.
sham, spurious, or counterfeit: pinchbeck heroism.
Origin of pinchbeck
1725–35; named after Christopher
Pinchbeck (died 1732), English watchmaker and its inventor
Words nearby pinchbeck
pinch point,
pinch roller,
pinch runner,
pinch-hit,
pinchback,
pinchbeck,
pinchbottle,
pinchcock,
pincheck,
pincher,
pinchot
Example sentences from the Web for pinchbeck
British Dictionary definitions for pinchbeck
pinchbeck
/ (ˈpɪntʃˌbɛk) /
noun
an alloy of copper and zinc, used as imitation gold
a spurious or cheap imitation; sham
adjective
made of pinchbeck
sham, spurious, or cheap
Word Origin for pinchbeck
C18 (the alloy), C19 (something spurious): after Christopher
Pinchbeck (?1670–1732), English watchmaker who invented it