Chinese white
Noun: 1. A white pigment used in house paints; consists of zinc oxide: "Chinese white" is a specific type of white pigment, primarily composed of zinc oxide, traditionally used in artistic and industrial paints.
"Chinese white" is used as a compound noun to refer specifically to this pigment. It is typically used in contexts related to art, painting, and manufacturing. - It is often found on artists' material lists or in historical descriptions of painting techniques. - The term distinguishes this zinc oxide-based white from other white pigments like titanium white or lead white.
- Noun:
- The artist preferred using Chinese white for its specific opacity and tone.
- This historic recipe for house paint calls for Chinese white as the primary pigment.
- While "Chinese white" is a fixed compound term, in technical or chemical contexts, the simpler term "zinc white" is often used synonymously to refer to the same basic pigment (zinc oxide).
- Zinc white (n): Another name for the pigment zinc oxide, often used interchangeably with "Chinese white" in modern contexts.
- Zinc oxide (n): The chemical compound (ZnO) that constitutes the pigment.
- Zinc white: A direct synonym for the pigment.
- Zinc oxide pigment: A more descriptive technical synonym.
The term "Chinese white" is historical. Its name likely originates from the early methods of production or trade routes associated with zinc oxide. In contemporary usage, especially in science and industry, the terms "zinc oxide" or "zinc white" are more common. The compound term itself is not typically broken down or used metaphorically.
- a white pigment used in house paints; consists of zinc oxide