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stainless

 - 4 dictionary results

stain⋅less

[steyn-lis]
–adjective
1. having no stain; spotless.
2. made of stainless steel.
3. resistant to staining, rusting, the corrosive effect of chemicals, etc.
–noun
4. flatware made of stainless steel.
5. stainless steel.

Origin:
1580–90; stain + -less


stain⋅less⋅ly, adverb
stain⋅less⋅ness, noun

stainless steel

–noun
alloy steel containing 12 percent or more chromium, so as to be resistant to rust and attack from various chemicals.
Also called stainless.


Origin:
1915–20
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To stainless
stain·less   (stān'lĭs)   
adj.  
  1. Without stain or blemish: a stainless reputation.

  2. Resistant to stain or corrosion: stainless metal.

  3. Made of a stainless material: a stainless teapot.

stain'less·ly adv.
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

stainless steel 
1917, a chromium-steel alloy (usually 14% chormium) used for cutlery, etc., so called because it is highly resistant to rust or tarnish.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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