platinum
/ˈplatɪnəm
/noun [mass noun]
1A precious silvery-white metal, the chemical element of atomic number 78. It was first encountered by the Spanish in South America in the 16th century, and is used in jewellery, electrical contacts, laboratory equipment, and industrial catalysts. (Symbol: Pt) Fuel cells contain expensive precious metals like platinum and palladium, they have not been proven to work in extreme weather conditions and the nation's gas stations would need to be reconfigured....
- This is often a precious metal, although platinum is the metal which is widely used for most catalytic converters.
- His fund is more than 85% invested in gold-mining shares, with the rest in companies that dig for other precious metals such as platinum and silver.
1.1 [often as modifier] Greyish white or silvery like platinum: a platinum wig...
- I was immersed in her from such an early age that when I look back on my growing up all I can see is a cyclone of platinum wigs, hoe-downs and heartache.
- Warhol in his platinum wig posed as Christ, although his nickname at the times was Drella, a compound of Cinderella and Dracula.
- Aziza and Adrian laughed at their cheap platinum wigs and horrible guitar skills.
Phrases
go platinum
Origin
Early 19th century: alteration of earlier platina, from Spanish, diminutive of plata 'silver'.