putty

¹

[ puht-ee ]

noun

, plural put·ties.

1. a compound of whiting and linseed oil, of a doughlike consistency when fresh, used to secure windowpanes, patch woodwork defects, etc.
2. any of various other compounds used for similar purposes.
3. any of various substances for sealing the joints of tubes or pipes, composed of linseed oil with red lead, white lead, iron oxide, etc.
4. a creamy mixture of lime and water, partially dried and mixed with sand and plaster of Paris to make a finish plaster coat.
5. putty powder.
6. any person or thing easily molded, influenced, etc.:

   We were putty in his hands.

7. light brownish- or yellowish-gray.

verb (used with object)

, put·tied, put·ty·ing.

1. to secure, cover, etc., with putty.

putty

²

[ puht-ee ]

noun

, plural put·ties.

1. puttee.

putty

/ ˈpʌtɪ /

noun

1. a stiff paste made of whiting and linseed oil that is used to fix glass panes into frames and to fill cracks or holes in woodwork, etc
2. any substance with a similar consistency, function, or appearance
3. a mixture of lime and water with sand or plaster of Paris used on plaster as a finishing coat
4. ( as modifier )

   a putty knife

5. See putty powder
6. a person who is easily influenced or persuaded

   he's putty in her hands

7. 1. a colour varying from a greyish-yellow to a greyish-brown or brownish-grey
   2. ( as adjective )

      putty-coloured

8. up to putty informal.
   worthless or useless

verb

1. tr to fix, fill, or coat with putty

Other Words From

• un·puttied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of putty¹

First recorded in 1625–35, putty is from the French word potée, literally, (something) potted. See pot ¹, -ee

Word History and Origins

Origin of putty¹

C17: from French potée a potful

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. up to putty, Australian Slang. worthless or useless.

Example Sentences

But after so many years in the business, Griffin understands how to maneuver her audience and keep them molded in her hands like putty.

From Salon

Right before lunch I go to the boys’ room at school and mush the putty through my hair until it stands on end all over my head.

From Literature

As Gulley and Benn made repeated trips to Ngozumpa Glacier, they saw that narrow passages often squeezed shut from one year to the next—the glacial ice oozing inward like silly putty.

From National Geographic

Prevent curious cats from knocking over any of your plant containers with the help of mounting putty.

From Seattle Times

Get it wrong and the fuel can be squashed flat, bulge out unpredictably like putty squeezed in a child’s hand, or mix with material from the diamond shell.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• docile
• flexible
• limber
• malleable
• manageable
• pliant
• spongy
• supple