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Definition of putty - 7 dictionary results

put⋅ty

1  [puht-ee] noun, plural -ties, verb, -tied, -ty⋅ing.
Use putty in a Sentence
–noun
1. a compound of whiting and linseed oil, of a doughlike consistency when fresh, used to secure windowpanes, patch woodwork defects, etc.
2. any of various other compounds used for similar purposes.
3. any of various substances for sealing the joints of tubes or pipes, composed of linseed oil with red lead, white lead, iron oxide, etc.
4. a creamy mixture of lime and water, partially dried and mixed with sand and plaster of Paris to make a finish plaster coat.
5. putty powder.
6. any person or thing easily molded, influenced, etc.: We were putty in his hands.
7. light brownish- or yellowish-gray.
–verb (used with object)
8. to secure, cover, etc., with putty.
—Idiom
9. up to putty, Australian Slang. worthless or useless.
Origin:
1625–35; < F potée, lit., (something) potted. See pot 1 , -ee

put⋅ty

2  [puht-ee]
–noun, plural -ties.
puttee.

put⋅tee

  [puh-tee, poo-, puht-ee]
–noun
1. a long strip of cloth wound spirally round the leg from ankle to knee, worn esp. formerly as part of a soldier's uniform.
2. a gaiter or legging of leather or other material, as worn by soldiers, riders, etc.
Also, putty, puttie.

Origin:
1870–75; < Hindi paṭṭī bandage; akin to Skt paṭṭa strip of cloth, bandage

putty powder

 
–noun
an abrasive consisting chiefly of stannic oxide, used for polishing hard surfaces.
Also called putty, jeweler's putty.

Origin:
1825–35
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To putty
put·ty   (pŭt'ē)   
n.   pl. put·ties

    1. A doughlike cement made by mixing whiting and linseed oil, used to fill holes in woodwork and secure panes of glass.

    2. A substance with a similar consistency or function.

  2. A fine lime cement used as a finishing coat on plaster.

  3. A yellowish or light brownish gray to grayish yellow or light grayish brown.

tr.v.   put·tied, put·ty·ing, put·ties
To fill, cover, or secure with putty.

[French potée, polishing powder, from Old French, a potful, from pot, pot, from Vulgar Latin *pottus.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

putty 
1633, from Fr. potée "polishing powder" (12c.), originally "pot-full, contents of a pot," from O.Fr. pot "container" (see pot (1)). Meaning "soft mixture for sealing window panes" first recorded 1706. Fig. use in ref. to one easily influenced is from 1924.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia

putty

cementing material made of whiting (finely powdered calcium carbonate) and boiled linseed oil. It is beaten or kneaded to the consistency of dough and is used to secure sheets of glass in sashes, to stop crevices in woodwork, and to fill nail holes. Whiting putty of a high grade consists of 85 to 90 percent whiting blended with 10 to 15 percent boiled linseed oil. White-lead whiting putty has an admixture of 10 percent white lead, reducing the amount of whiting proportionately. Prepared putty should roll freely in the hands without exuding oil. Synthetic glazing and filling compounds have supplanted putty in many applications

Learn more about putty with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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