patina

Definitions

  • WordNet 3.6
    • n patina a fine coating of oxide on the surface of a metal
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • patina A dish or plate of metal or earthenware; a patella.
    • patina (Fine Arts) The color or incrustation which age gives to works of art; especially, the green rust which covers ancient bronzes, coins, and medals.
    • ***
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • n patina A bowl; a patella.
    • n patina An incrustation which forms on bronze after a certain amount of exposure to the weather, or after burial beneath the ground. It is, when, perfectly developed, of a dark-green color, and has nearly the composition of the mineral malachite (hydrated carbonate of copper). Such an incrustation, although very thin, is considered to add greatly to the beauty of an antique object, especially of a bust or statue, and is of importance as protecting it from further oxidation. Artificial and evanescent patinas are produced by forgers of antiquities by the application of heat or of acids, and in various other ways. Some modern bronzes acquire a dark colored patina, which is a disfigurement rather than an ornament. Elaborate investigation on the part of various chemists has failed to explain this ill-colored patina very satisfactorily. It is believed, however, that coal-smoke in large cities may be a cause of its formation, as under such circumstances it contains particles of carbonaceous matter; and, also, that the present almost universal practice of putting considerable zinc into the bronze, to facilitate its casting, is one of the causes of this defect. The dark color of the patina of Japanese bronze has been shown, in a considerable number of cases at least, to be in all probability due to the presence of lead in the alloy. Also patine.
    • n patina By extension, the surface-texture or -color which other works of decorative art, as a wooden cabinet or the like, gain through the action of time.
    • n patina The surface, produced partly by accretion, partly by discoloration and the effects of acid in the soil, given to marble by long inhumation.
    • n patina [capitalized] [NL.] In conch., a genus of gastropods.
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Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
    • n Patina pat′i-na a bowl, pan, patella: the encrustation which age gives to works of art: the peculiar varnish-like rust which covers ancient bronzes and medals
    • ***

Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
It., fr. L. patina, a dish, a pan, a kind of cake. Cf. Paten
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
It.,—L. patina, a dish, a kind of cake.

Usage

In literature:

It was the 30th May, 1853, a lovely hunting morning and a fine dew on the patinas; rather too windy, but that could not be helped.
"Eight Years' Wandering in Ceylon" by Samuel White Baker
He whispered that he had found the elephant, who was standing on the patina, a few yards beyond the jungle.
"The Rifle and The Hound in Ceylon" by Samuel White Baker
Thin green patina, or bare brown or black metal is dubious.
"How to Observe in Archaeology" by Various
Old plaster has a texture and patina that modern stucco cannot simulate, so preserve it if possible.
"If You're Going to Live in the Country" by Thomas H. Ormsbee and Richmond Huntley
The treatment of the bronze is successful and its patina is admirable.
"Donatello" by David Lindsay, Earl of Crawford
Of many of the subjects there are several copies, and amateurs can study proofs and patinas to their heart's content.
"The American Architect and Building News, Vol. 27, Jan-Mar, 1890" by Various
His bronze patinas of reptiles, insects and fish are also remarkable.
"Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 3" by Various
Fifth Prebendary, carrying the Chalice and Patina.
"Coronation Anecdotes" by Giles Gossip
He was becoming awfully weak, but a terrible madness lay across Latham's mind like a patina, driving him on.
"One Purple Hope!" by Henry Hasse
Everything wore an indefinable patina of newness.
"Felony" by James Causey
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In poetry:

Retrospect shall not often such penury-
Sun's brass, the moon's steely patinas,
The leaden slag of the world-
But always expose
"Departure" by Sylvia Plath

In news:

Patina Restaurant Group founder joined Richard Melman, other restaurant executives to discuss best practices, celebrate.
restaurant-hospitality.com
The fact they are so difficult adds a patina of interesting.
miaminewtimes.com
Reba's move to Malibu has a retro, aged patina .
philly.com
Patina Restaurant Group founder joined Richard Melman, other restaurant executives to discuss best practices, celebrate.
restaurant-hospitality.com
Rock house offers artists an aged patina .
blog.mysanantonio.com
If there's any place left in L.A. That plays by the rules of the all-frills grande maison restaurant experience, it is Patina .
lamag.com
Shop concept firm Patina -V will open a permanent showroom at 7 W 34th St.
hometextilestoday.com
But not on the Patina experience.
latimes.com
Verdigris = Patina = that green stuff.
blog.seattlepi.com
What I also saw was a natural patina from moss, rust and water.
wbng.com
Belgian Beer Tasting at Patina at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge.
dailynews.com
Santa's Brunch by Patina at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge.
dailynews.com
The cast also boasts Tony Award winner Andrea Martin, as well as Tony nominees Patina Miller, Terrence Mann and Charlotte d'Amboise.
playbill.com
And that familiar blue-green patina.
news-gazette.com
"Jeff believes in the natural patina that time creates on things," Diaz-Azcuy assures us.
interiordesign.net
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Related words