/gun"met'l/ , n.
1. any of various alloys or metallic substances with a dark gray or blackish color or finish, used for chains, belt buckles, etc.
2. Also called gunmetal gray . a dark gray with bluish or purplish tinge.
3. a bronze formerly much used for cannon.
4. an alloy of 88 percent copper, 10 percent tin, and 2 percent zinc, cast or machined for use in valves, gears, and other parts.
Also, gun metal .
[ 1535-45; GUN 1 + METAL ]