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[Medieval Latin, from Latin, plate; see PATEN.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. 1. A thin greenish layer, usually basic copper sulfate, that forms on copper or copper alloys, such as bronze, as a result of natural corrosion or chemical treatment. 2. The sheen on a surface, such as one made of wood, produced by age and use. 3. A superficial exterior layer; a coating: "Everything bore that dull patina of grime that speaks of years of neglect" (Amitav Ghosh). 4. A superficial impression, especially one considered as added or acquired: uneven sidewalks that lend a patina of charm to the neighborhood's streets. [Italian, from Latin, plate (from the incrustation on ancient metal plates and dishes); see PATEN.] Usage Note: Most English words borrowed from Italian follow the stress pattern of that language and are stressed on the second-to-last syllable. There are many exceptions to this rule, however, and among them is the traditional pronunciation of patina, which has emphasis on the first syllable, so it rhymes with the phrase sat in a. This pronunciation remains the preferred pronunciation in Britain. But patina also developed a pronunciation that follows the pattern of other -ina words in English, such as cantina. In the 2009 survey, not only did 90 percent of the Usage Panel find this newer pronunciation acceptable, 60 percent preferred it. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
