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pinchbeck

[ pinch-bek ]

noun

  1. an alloy of copper and zinc, used in imitation of gold.
  2. something sham, spurious, or counterfeit.


adjective

  1. made of pinchbeck.
  2. sham, spurious, or counterfeit:

    pinchbeck heroism.

pinchbeck

/ ˈpɪntʃˌbɛk /

noun

  1. an alloy of copper and zinc, used as imitation gold
  2. a spurious or cheap imitation; sham
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adjective

  1. made of pinchbeck
  2. sham, spurious, or cheap
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pinchbeck1

1725–35; named after Christopher Pinchbeck (died 1732), English watchmaker and its inventor
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pinchbeck1

C18 (the alloy), C19 (something spurious): after Christopher Pinchbeck (?1670–1732), English watchmaker who invented it
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Example Sentences

With rough and homely fist he had copied this pinchbeck fervour.

There was Robert--haggard and unkempt--still in the pinchbeck uniform, torn and bespattered now, with a peasant's frieze-coat thrown over it--a ridiculous disguise.

What a snake in the grass, with his clever military plan and pinchbeck enthusiasm!

But for love of the dear old Karnak, I must show up this pinchbeck Isabel; this dirty, disorderly floating prison, where no kind care alleviated one's miseries, and no suitable diet helped one's recovery.

The public has in turn learned to expect the sudden start, the swift pace, the placarded climax, the clever paradox, the crisp repartee, the pinchbeck style, the bared realism, the concluding click.

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