n., adj., & v.
--n.
1. any alloy of copper and tin.
2 its brownish colour.
3 a thing made of bronze, esp. as a work of art.
--adj. made of or coloured like bronze.
--v.
1. tr. give a bronzelike surface to.
2 tr. & intr. make or become brown; tan.
Phrases and idioms:
Bronze Age Archaeol. the period preceding the Iron Age, when weapons and tools were usu. made of bronze. bronze medal a medal usu. awarded to a competitor who comes third (esp. in sport).
Derivatives:
bronzy adj.
Etymology: F f. It. bronzo, prob. f. Pers. birinj copper