Definition

Noun: - Crude lead cast into ingots: "Pig lead" refers to lead that has been smelted and cast into a simple, oblong mold called a "pig." These ingots are a basic, unrefined form of the metal, typically produced for ease of transport and further processing.

Usage

• As a material for industry: Pig lead is the raw material supplied to manufacturers who will remelt and alloy it for various products.
  • The factory ordered ten tons of pig lead for battery production.
• In historical or metallurgical contexts: The term is used to describe the traditional form of casting and trading raw lead.
  • The old smelter produced pig lead for shipment to industrial centers.

Advanced Usage

• "Pig" as a casting term: The term "pig" originates from the configuration of the molds. The central channel is called the "sow," and the smaller ingots branching off are the "pigs." Therefore, "pig lead" specifically denotes the ingots from this process.
  • After pouring, the solidified metal was broken into individual pigs of lead.

Variants and Related Words

• Pig iron: A similar term for crude iron cast into ingots.
  • The blast furnace output was cast as pig iron.
• Lead ingot: A more general term for a block of refined or unrefined lead.

Synonyms

• Crude lead
• Lead ingot (though this can imply a more refined form)
• Unrefined lead

Notes

• Specificity: "Pig lead" is a specific industrial and metallurgical term. It is not a common compound word in everyday language and should not be confused with the animal "pig."
• Process: The word "pig" in this context is always a noun modifier describing the form of the cast metal.

Noun

1. lead that is cast in pigs