/ zɪŋk; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U ] ( symb Zn ) a chemical element. Zinc is a bluish-white metal that is mixed with copper to produce brass and is often used to cover other metals to prevent them from rusting .
2.
[ C ] ( informal ) (in some places in Africa) a sheet of corrugated iron that is used to make a roof, shelter, etc. :
They built a temporary home out of zincs.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from German Zink , of unknown origin.