tin
/tin/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A silvery-white, malleable metallic element (Sn): A soft metal that resists corrosion, used in alloys and for coating other metals.
- Airtight metal container: A sealed can, typically made of steel coated with tin, used for preserving food, drink, or paint.
- A metal container for dry goods: A box or can, often made of tinplate, used for storing items like tea or flour.
- A baking vessel: A pan or mold made of tinplate, used in cooking.
Verb:
- To coat with tin: To cover another metal with a thin layer of tin, often to prevent corrosion.
- To preserve in a can: To seal food in an airtight metal container for long-term storage.
Examples
Noun:
- Tin is often used in solder. (The element)
- She opened a tin of beans for dinner. (A sealed food container)
- The recipe calls for a loaf tin. (A baking pan)
Verb:
- They used to tin iron to make "tinplate" for cans. (To coat with tin)
- The factory tins thousands of fish every day. (To preserve in a can)
Advanced Usage
"A little tin god": A person who acts self-importantly but has little real power or authority.
- The new manager is acting like a little tin god.
"On a tin lid" (Rhyming slang, chiefly British, informal): On a ship (from "tin lid" = "kid" = "ship").
- He spent years on a tin lid in the navy.
Variants and Related Words
Tinny (adj): Having a thin, metallic sound; or made of or resembling tin, often implying cheapness.
- The old radio had a tinny sound.
- The toy felt flimsy and tinny.
Tinned (adj): Preserved in a tin can.
- Tinned fruit is a good pantry staple.
Tinplate (n): Thin sheet steel or iron coated with tin.
- Most food cans are made from tinplate.
Synonyms
- Noun (Element): Stannum (Latin/Scientific term).
- Noun (Container): Can (especially in American English), canister.
- Verb (To preserve): Can.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Tin up (British, informal): To preserve or can food.
- My grandmother used to tin up tomatoes from the garden every autumn.
Related Idioms
"To have a tin ear": To be tone-deaf or insensitive to nuances, especially in music or language.
- As a negotiator, he has a tin ear for diplomatic language.
"Tin-pot" (adj, derogatory): Insignificant, especially of a dictator or regime considered petty and oppressive.
- The rebels overthrew the tin-pot dictator.
Noun
- airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.
- metal container for storing dry foods such as tea or flour
- a vessel (box, can, pan, etc.) made of tinplate and used mainly in baking
- a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
Verb
- prepare (a metal) for soldering or brazing by applying a thin layer of solder to the surface
- preserve in a can or tin
- tinned foods are not very tasty
- plate with tin