pinchbeck Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an alloy of copper and zinc that is used in cheap jewelry to imitate gold
  2. adjective satellite serving as an imitation or substitute
    • pinchbeck heroism

WordNet

Pinch"beck noun
Etymology
Said to be from the name of the inventor; cf. It. prencisbecco.
Definitions
  1. An alloy of copper and zinc, resembling gold; a yellow metal, composed of about three ounces of zinc to a pound of copper. It is much used as an imitation of gold in the manufacture of cheap jewelry.
Pinch"beck adjective
Definitions
  1. Made of pinchbeck; sham; cheap; spurious; unreal. "A pinchbeck throne." J. A. Symonds.

Webster 1913