tombac

noun

tom·​bac ˈtäm-ˌbak How to pronounce tombac (audio)
: an alloy essentially of copper and zinc and sometimes tin or arsenic that is used especially for cheap jewelry and gilding

Word History

Etymology

French, from Dutch tombak, from Malay tĕmbaga copper

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tombac was in 1602

Browse Nearby Words

tomb
tombac
tombal
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Cite this Entry

“Tombac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tombac. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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