pewter

[ pyoo-ter ]

noun

1. any of various alloys in which tin is the chief constituent, originally one of tin and lead.
2. a container or utensil made of such an alloy.
3. such utensils collectively:

   a revival of interest in pewter.

4. British Slang.
   1. a cup awarded as a prize or trophy, as in a sporting event.
   2. prize money ( def 2 ).

adjective

1. consisting or made of pewter:

   a pewter mug.

pewter

/ ˈpjuːtə /

noun

1. 1. any of various alloys containing tin (80–90 per cent), lead (10–20 per cent), and sometimes small amounts of other metals, such as copper and antimony
   2. ( as modifier )

      a pewter tankard

      pewter ware

2. 1. a bluish-grey colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      pewter tights

3. plate or kitchen utensils made from pewter

Derived Forms

• ˈpewterer, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pewter¹

1325–75; Middle English pewtre < Middle French peutre < Vulgar Latin *piltrum; perhaps akin to spelter

Word History and Origins

Origin of pewter¹

C14: from Old French peaultre, of obscure origin; related to Old Provençal peltre pewter

Example Sentences

He remembers two politicians who would eat together and regularly put in the same order: "Two working man's portions of your beef and two pewter mugs of your finest ales."

From BBC

“A packet of red paste and a tea tray, which might be iron or pewter.”

From Literature

“I love to create the feeling of the flower floating and defying gravity,” says the designer, who likes to begin with a vessel, often a silver pedestal bowl or oversize pewter julep cup, then adds blooms to double or triple its height.

From New York Times

The merchants who’d accumulated this newfound wealth got a taste for the good life: luscious, imported citrus and plump olives; salt and spices; rich pastries; young game meats and wine — all doled out using gold, ceramic and pewter serveware.

From Salon

There was a claw-foot tub with pewter fixtures, a charmingly messy bookshelf window-seat, a kitchen painted a cool green.

From New York Times