Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Pewter
Pew′ter
(pū′tẽr)
, Noun.
[OE.
pewtyr
, OF. peutre
, peautre
, piautre
: cf. D. peauter
, piauter
, It. peltro
, Sp. & Pg. peltre
, LL. peutreum
, pestrum
. Cf. Spelter
.] 1.
A hard, tough, but easily fusible, alloy, originally consisting of tin with a little lead, but afterwards modified by the addition of copper, antimony, or bismuth.
2.
Utensils or vessels made of pewter, as dishes, porringers, drinking vessels, tankards, pots.
☞ Pewter was formerly much used for domestic utensils. Inferior sorts contain a large proportion of lead.
Webster 1828 Edition
Pewter
PEW'TER
, n.1.
A composition or factitious metal, consisting of tin and lead, or tin, lead and brass, in the proportions of a hundred pounds of tin to fifteen of lead, and six of brass. This was formerly in extensive use in domestic utensils or vessels; but being a soft composition and easily melted, is now less used.2.
Vessels or utensils made of pewter; as plates, dishes, porringers and the like.