patina
pronunciation
How to pronounce patina in British English:
UK [ˈpætɪnə]
How to pronounce patina in American English:
US [pəˈtinə]
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- Noun:
- a fine coating of oxide on the surface of a metal
Word Origin
- patina
- patina: see pan
- patina (n.)
- "greenish film on old bronze," 1748, from French patine (18c.), from Italian patina, perhaps from Latin patina "dish, pan" (see pan (n.)), on the notion of encrustation on ancient bronze dishes. Sense of "refinement, cultural sophistication" first recorded 1933.
Example
- 1. The trophy is very impressive and rather special because it has a beautiful green patina .
- 2. He allowed a fine patina of old coffee to develop around the inside of the mug .
- 3. A mahogany door that is golden brown with the patina of age
- 4. Except for a patina of charisma , he was like a thousand other bright young men in Toronto .
- 5. Sixty-eight percent of the species lived on cupreous rocks covered with patina , while 32 % grew on cupreous soil .