zinc

Pronunciation: /ˈzɪŋk/

The English word “zinc” has 6 meanings listed here.

noun

A chemical element (symbol Zn) with an atomic number of 30, a blue-silvery metal that is slightly brittle at room temperature and tarnishes slightly in moist air.
An atom of this element.
A corrugated iron roof.
A zinc countertop.

verb

To electroplate with zinc.
To coat with sunblock incorporating zinc oxide.

Etymology

Borrowed from German Zink, related to Zinke (“point, prong”), from Middle High German zinke, from Old High German zinko (“prong, tine”), allied to zint (“a jag, point”), from Proto-Germanic *tindaz (“prong, pinnacle”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃dónts (“tooth, projection”). Cognate with Old English tind (“tine, prong”), Middle Low German tinde, Icelandic tindur (“spike, tooth of a rake or…

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