[zinc] n, often attrib [G Zink] (1651): a bluish white crystalline metallic element of low to intermediate hardness that is ductile when pure but in the commercial form is brittle at ordinary temperatures and becomes ductile on slight heating, occurs abundantly in minerals, is an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals, and is used esp. as a protective coating for iron and steel
[2]zinc vt zinced or zincked ; zinc.ing or zinck.ing (1841): to treat or coat with zinc: galvanize