zinco
zinc
noun DZEEN-koh Rare
Origin: From German 'Zink', of uncertain origin, possibly from 'Zinke' (prong) referring to the metal's pointed crystals.
Usage Note
Zinco is the chemical element zinc (symbol Zn, atomic number 30). The initial 'z' is pronounced 'dz' (DZEEN-koh). In everyday Italian, zinc appears in l'ossido di zinco (zinc oxide, used in sunscreens) and le tegole di zinco (zinc roof tiles). It is also a dietary mineral: carente di zinco means zinc-deficient.
Examples
"Il tetto era rivestito di lastre di zinco."
Natural Translation
The roof was covered with zinc sheets.
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