zinc

[Ger. zt»ife.] A metallic element, symbol. Zn, atomic weight 65.37, bluish white in color, malleable and ductile. A number of salts of zinc are used in medicine. Crude commercial zinc is called spelter. For the official salts of zinc, see under zincum. z. caustic, a mixture of zinc chloride, i, and flour, 3. z. coHc, cohc resulting from chronic zinc poisoning, z. ointment, unguentum* zinc i oxid i. z. white, zinc oxide used in paint as a substitute for white lead.