tin Hear it!

tin Definition

tin (tin)

noun

  1. a soft, silver-white, crystalline, metallic chemical element, malleable at ordinary temperatures and used in making shiny alloys and tinfoils, solders, utensils, tin plate, superconducting magnets, etc.: symbol, Sn; at. no., 50
  2. tin plate
    1. a pan, box, etc. made of tin plate
    2. Chiefly Brit. can (, )
  3. Slang money

Etymology: ME < OE, akin to Ger zinn; only in Gmc languages

transitive verb tinned, tin·ning

  1. to cover or plate with tin
  2. Chiefly Brit. can ()

tin Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • sardine: In their dormitory we found chocolate, sausages, tins of sardines, and very comfortable beds, whilst the other prisoners were starving.
  • tuna: After seeing the miracles she works with our tins of tuna and salad, we're keen to sample her repertoire.

Converse of object

  • grease: Bake in a greased 1kg loaf tin in center of the oven, Gas 4 180C for approx 60 minutes.
  • bake: All is revealed with the October issue of the half-baked rag, which has a vast stack of baked bean tins on the cover.
  • rattle: You'll never put money into rattling tins again!

Adjective modifier

  • roasting: Raise the oven temperature to 425 F or Gas mark 7. Place the beef dripping into a roasting tin.
  • airtight: Remove, cool on a wire rack and store in an airtight tin until serving.
  • prepared: Place mixture in prepared tin, smooth over top.
  • loose-bottomed: Press into the base of a 20cm/8 inch loose-bottomed cake tin.
  • tart: Use the mixture to line a 20 x 30cm tart tin.

Modifies a noun

  • foil: It's not any thicker than tin foil in a pack of cigarettes.
  • opener: Note to self - don't forget tin opener.
  • can: You cannot open tin cans with cars, or eat computers.
  • whistle: I also play piano, clarinet, tin whistle, and bagpipes but I don't suppose they're any help.

Noun used with modifier

  • loaf: Bake in a greased 1kg loaf tin in center of the oven, Gas 4 180C for approx 60 minutes.
  • flan: Use to line a lightly oiled 23cm ( 9 inch ) spring release cake or deep flan tin.
  • cookie: Biscuits for the cookie tin, cake just in case.
  • roasting: Place in a covered roasting tin, or wrap in foil.
  • muffin: Place 15 large paper baking cases onto a baking tray or muffin tin.
  • cake: Grease a cake tin, then pour in mixture.
tin Quotes

What is the victory of a cat on a hot tin roof?öI wish I knew† Just staying on it, I guess, for as long as she can.

—Williams,TennesseeThomas Lanier

Like two skeletons copulating on a corrugated tin roof.

—Beecham, SirThomas

Away with the music of Broadway! Be off with your Irving Berlin! Oh, I'd give no quarter to Kern or Cole Porter and Gershwin keeps pounding on tin. How can I be civil when hearing this drivel? It's only for night-clubbing souses. Oh, give me the free 'n'easy waltz that is Viennesey And go tell the band if they want a hand the waltz must be Strauss's!

—Gershwin, Ira originally Israel Gershowitz

I opened a tin of Bologna sausage and broke a cake of chocolate, and that was all I had to eat. It may sound offensive, but I ate them together, bite by bite, by way of bread and meat. All I had to wash down this revolting mixture was neat brandy; a revolting beverage in itself. But I was rare and hungry; ate well, and smoked one of thebestcigarettesinmyexperience.Then Iput a stonein my straw hat, pulled the flap of my fur cap over my neck and eyes, put my revolver ready to hand, and snuggled well down among the sheepskins.

—Stevenson, Robert Louis

Browse dictionary entries near tin

  1. Timur
  2. timpani
  3. timothy
  4. timorous
  5. Timor Timur
  6. Timor Sea
  7. Timor
  8. timocracy
  9. Timişoara
  10. timing
  1. tin can
  2. tin ear
  3. tin god
  4. tin lizzie
  5. Tin Pan Alley
  6. tin plate
  7. tin-pot
  8. Tina
  9. tinamou
  10. Tinbergen