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10 wordies list
pinchbeck |
(n): an alloy of copper and zinc that is used in cheap jewelry to imitate gold
(n): a mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten
(adj): serving as an imitation or substitute
(adj): vs. genuine), imitative -- (not genuine; imitating something superior
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"To be sure there was a golden haze over those times and some of the gold was no doubt false, mere pinchbeck at the best; but even so they had an irreplaceable quality of their own..."
--Patrick O'Brian, The Ionian Mission, 169
adjective: counterfeit or spurious.
"After watchmaker Christopher Pinchbeck (1670-1732), who invented it.
It's ironic that today his name is a synonym for something counterfeit
but in his time his fame was worldwide, not only as the inventor of
this curious alloy but also as a maker of musical clocks and orreries*.
The composition of this gold-like alloy was a closely-guarded secret
but it didn't prevent others from passing off articles as if made from
this alloy... faking fake gold!"
'Blackpool is more than a tower of lights and a rhinestone mile of slots and seasonal variety acts. It is Lancashire's pinchbeck LA.'
Adam Edwards; Keeping Up And Away From the Neighbours; Daily Telegraph (London, UK); Jul 24, 2004."
- A.W.A.D, November 19, 2007
Late lieabed under a quilt of old overcoats, fingering a pinchbeck bracelet, Dan Kelly's token.
Joyce, Ulysses, 10