white lead
Definition
Noun: 1. A poisonous white pigment containing lead compounds: A dense, opaque white paint pigment historically made from basic lead carbonate. Its primary use was in paints, but due to its high toxicity, its use has been severely restricted or banned in many applications.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Art conservators identified white lead in the layers of the 18th-century portrait.
- Before modern substitutes, white lead was valued for its opacity and durability in oil-based paints.
- The use of white lead in household paints was phased out because of the health risks, particularly to children.
Advanced Usage
- Historical and Technical Context: The term is primarily used in historical, artistic, and industrial contexts to refer to the specific pigment, often contrasted with safer modern alternatives like titanium white.
- The artist's choice of white lead contributed to the painting's characteristic brilliance but also to its gradual darkening.
Variants and Related Words
- Lead white (n): An alternative name for the same pigment, often used in art history and conservation.
- Basic lead carbonate (n): The chemical name for the primary compound in traditional white lead pigment.
- Flake white (n): A specific, high-quality grade of white lead pigment used by artists.
- Cremnitz white (n): Another historical variety of white lead pigment.
Synonyms
- Ceruse (n, historical): An archaic term for white lead, especially when used in cosmetics.
- Lead carbonate (basic) (n, chemical): A more precise chemical designation.
Notes on Meaning and Usage
- Toxicity Emphasis: The definition and modern usage of "white lead" are almost invariably linked to its poisonous nature. It is rarely mentioned without reference to its health and environmental hazards.
- Obsolete Practical Use: While the substance itself is still known, its practical use as a common pigment is largely obsolete. The term now most frequently appears in discussions of art history, paint restoration, industrial hygiene, and public health regulations.
Noun
-
a poisonous white pigment that contains lead
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