What does "verdigris" mean?
A blue-green patina or rust that forms on copper-containing metals.
Verdigris
/ˈvɝ.də.ɡɹis/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A blue-green patina or rust that forms on copper-containing metals.
- Grammar: verdigris is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: color, copper acetate patina, copper acetate pigment, copper patina.
- Useful contrasts: bare metal, clear surface, colorless medium.
- Usage evidence: Let's to^([sic]) the museum. Cannon-balls; arrow-heads; Roman glass and a forceps green with verdigris.
How to use "verdigris"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "verdigris" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "verdigris" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "verdigris" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A blue-green patina or rust that forms on copper-containing metals. countable, uncountable
"Let's to^([sic]) the museum. Cannon-balls; arrow-heads; Roman glass and a forceps green with verdigris."
- 2 a green patina that forms on copper or brass or bronze that has been exposed to the air or water for long periods of time wordnet
- 3 Copper acetate. countable, dated, uncountable
- 4 a blue or green powder used as a paint pigment wordnet
- 5 The color of this patina or material. countable, uncountable
"Gamboge is one of the firſt yellows, which may be made to produce five or six ſorts of Green with verdegreaſe, according as the gambooge is in the greater or leſſer proportion; if it abounds, it will make a tolerable oak green, and being mixt with a greater quantity of verdegreaſe, it will make a fine graſs Green."
Verb
- 1 To cover, or coat, with verdigris. transitive
"[…] there were always some wretched musicians, with an old fiddle, an old clarinet, and an old verdigrised brass bugle[…]"
- 2 color verdigris wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
bare metalclear surfacecolorless mediumpolished copper
Example
"Let's to^([sic]) the museum. Cannon-balls; arrow-heads; Roman glass and a forceps green with verdigris."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "verdigris"?
Common synonyms include: color, copper acetate patina, copper acetate pigment, copper patina, cupric acetate, green.
How do you use "verdigris" in a sentence?
Let's to^([sic]) the museum. Cannon-balls; arrow-heads; Roman glass and a forceps green with verdigris.
How do you pronounce "verdigris"?
Pronounced /ˈvɝ.də.ɡɹis/.
Etymology
From Middle English vertegrez, from Old French verte grez (literally “acidic green”), an alteration of older verte de Grece (literally “green of Greece”). The modern French writing of this word is vert-de-gris (literally “green of gray”).