gunmetal

or gun met·al

[ guhn-met-l ]

noun

1. any of various alloys or metallic substances with a dark gray or blackish color or finish, used for chains, belt buckles, etc.
2. Also called gunmetal gray. a dark gray with bluish or purplish tinge.
3. a bronze formerly much used for cannon.
4. an alloy of 88 percent copper, 10 percent tin, and 2 percent zinc, cast or machined for use in valves, gears, and other parts.

gunmetal

/ ˈɡʌnˌmɛtəl /

noun

1. a type of bronze containing copper (88 per cent), tin (8–10 per cent), and zinc (2–4 per cent): used for parts that are subject to wear or to corrosion, esp by sea water
2. any of various dark grey metals used for toys, belt buckles, etc
3. 1. a dark grey colour with a purplish or bluish tinge
   2. ( as adjective )

      gunmetal chiffon

Word History and Origins

Origin of gunmetal¹

First recorded in 1535–45; gun ¹ + metal

Example Sentences

The procession stretched for miles beneath a warm drizzle and a gunmetal gray sky.

From The Daily Beast

Beyond the reefs the sea was gunmetal under the stars, streaked with foam and shadow.

From Project Gutenberg

In Fig. 36, a, a is the body of the apparatus, partly of gunmetal and partly of wood.

From Project Gutenberg

Broadway was black and shining as polished gunmetal, with reflections of its million lights staggering down into the wet asphalt.

From Project Gutenberg

The cellar was empty except for a large wooden tun or cask which reached almost to the ceiling, and a gunmetal hand pump.

From Project Gutenberg

The whole should be of gunmetal, and, if the pipes to be used be of iron, screwed at the end.

From Project Gutenberg