flint-glass

flint-glass

A scientist examines a prism made of flint-glass.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A type of optical glass: "flint-glass" is a dense, highly refractive glass that contains lead oxide, traditionally used in lenses and prisms for its ability to disperse light.
    • Historical glassware: In the context of decorative or tableware, "flint-glass" refers to a clear, brilliant glass originally made with flint as a silica source, now commonly known as lead crystal.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The telescope lens was made from flint-glass to reduce chromatic aberration. (Flint-glass is used in optics for its light-dispersing properties.)
    • Antique chandeliers often feature flint-glass pendants that sparkle in the light. (Flint-glass is prized for its clarity and brilliance in decorative items.)
Advanced Usage

  • "Flint-glass and crown-glass combination": a standard pairing in achromatic lenses, where flint-glass is used to correct color distortion.

    • The microscope objective uses a flint-glass element paired with crown-glass. (The lens design combines two types of glass to improve image quality.)

  • "Lead flint-glass": a specific variant with a high lead oxide content, known for its softness and high refractive index.

    • Lead flint-glass is easier to cut and polish than other optical glasses. (The lead content makes it workable for intricate designs.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Flint (n): a hard, sedimentary rock used historically to produce sparks for fire-making.

    • The early glassmakers used crushed flint as a source of silica. (Flint was a raw material in early flint-glass production.)

  • Lead glass (n): a general term for glass containing lead oxide, of which flint-glass is a subtype.

    • Crystal wine glasses are often made from lead glass for their brilliance. (Lead glass is synonymous with modern flint-glass in tableware.)
Synonyms
  • Lead crystal: a common term for high-quality flint-glass used in decorative objects.
  • Optical glass: a broader category that includes flint-glass used in lenses.
Related Idioms

  • "Clear as flint-glass": a phrase used to describe something extremely transparent or easy to understand.

    • Her explanation was clear as flint-glass. (Her explanation was perfectly lucid.)

  • "Sparkle like flint-glass": a simile for something that shines or glitters brightly.

    • The diamond sparkled like flint-glass. (The diamond was highly reflective and brilliant.)