Tin Plague (Noun)
Meaning
The transformation of ordinary white tin into powdery grey tin at very cold temperatures.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural events.
Examples
- Scientists first discovered tin plague in the 19th century when they noticed that tin artifacts were disintegrating in cold climates.
- The transformation from white tin to grey tin occurred rapidly enough to be observed as the object underwent the tin plague.
- Researchers have studied the effects of the tin plague on artifacts stored in extremely low-temperature conditions.
- The historic tin water pipes in the old mansion showed signs of tin plague after surviving many harsh winters.
- In World War I, soldiers reported seeing pewter cups turn into a powdery gray substance as they succumbed to tin plague.