pewter Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any of various alloys of tin with small amounts of other metals (especially lead)

WordNet

Pew"ter noun
Etymology
OE. pewtyr, OF. peutre, peautre, piautre: cf. D. peauter, piauter, It. peltro, Sp. & Pg. peltre, LL. peutreum, pestrum. Cf. Spelter.
Definitions
  1. A hard, tough, but easily fusible, alloy, originally consisting of tin with a little lead, but afterwards modified by the addition of copper, antimony, or bismuth.
  2. Utensils or vessels made of pewter, as dishes, porringers, drinking vessels, tankards, pots. ✍ Pewter was formerly much used for domestic utensils. Inferior sorts contain a large proportion of lead.

Webster 1913