Definitions for: Zinc


[n] a bluish-white lustrous metallic element; brittle at ordinary temperatures but malleable when heated; used in a wide variety of alloys and in galvanizing iron; it occurs as zinc sulphide in zinc blende



Webster (1913) Definition: Zinc (z[i^][ng]k), n. [G. zink, probably akin to zinn
tin: cf. F. zinc, from the German. Cf. Tin.] (Chem.)
An abundant element of the magnesium-cadmium group, extracted
principally from the minerals zinc blende, smithsonite,
calamine, and franklinite, as an easily fusible bluish white
metal, which is malleable, especially when heated. It is not
easily oxidized in moist air, and hence is used for sheeting,
coating galvanized iron, etc. It is used in making brass,
britannia, and other alloys, and is also largely consumed in
electric batteries. Symbol Zn. Atomic weight 64.9. [Formerly
written also zink.]

Butter of zinc (Old Chem.), zinc chloride, ZnCl2, a
deliquescent white waxy or oily substance.

Oxide of zinc. (Chem.) See Zinc oxide, below.

Zinc amine (Chem.), a white amorphous substance,
Zn(NH2)2, obtained by the action of ammonia on zinc
ethyl; -- called also zinc amide.

Zinc amyle (Chem.), a colorless, transparent liquid,
composed of zinc and amyle, which, when exposed to the
atmosphere, emits fumes, and absorbs oxygen with rapidity.


Zinc blende [cf. G. zinkblende] (Min.), a native zinc
sulphide. See Blende, n.
(a) .

Zinc bloom [cf. G. zinkblumen flowers of zinc, oxide of
zinc] (Min.), hydrous carbonate of zinc, usually occurring
in white earthy incrustations; -- called also
hydrozincite.

Zinc ethyl (Chem.), a colorless, transparent, poisonous
liquid, composed of zinc and ethyl, which takes fire
spontaneously on exposure to the atmosphere.

Zinc green, a green pigment consisting of zinc and cobalt
oxides; -- called also Rinmann's green.

Zinc methyl (Chem.), a colorless mobile liquid Zn(CH3)2,
produced by the action of methyl iodide on a zinc sodium
alloy. It has a disagreeable odor, and is spontaneously
inflammable in the air. It has been of great importance in
the synthesis of organic compounds, and is the type of a
large series of similar compounds, as zinc ethyl, zinc
amyle, etc.

Zinc oxide (Chem.), the oxide of zinc, ZnO, forming a
light fluffy sublimate when zinc is burned; -- called also
flowers of zinc, philosopher's wool, nihil album,
etc. The impure oxide produced by burning the metal,
roasting its ores, or in melting brass, is called also
pompholyx, and tutty.

Zinc spinel (Min.), a mineral, related to spinel,
consisting essentially of the oxides of zinc and
aluminium; gahnite.

Zinc vitriol (Chem.), zinc sulphate. See White vitriol,
under Vitriol.

Zinc white, a white powder consisting of zinc oxide, used
as a pigment.


Zinc, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Zincked or Zinced; p. pr. &
vb. n. Zincking or Zincing.]
To coat with zinc; to galvanize.

Synonyms: atomic number 30, Zn

See Also: metal, metallic element

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