▪ I. platina Now rare or Obs.
(ˈplætɪnə, pləˈtiːnə)
[a. Sp. platina (plaˈtina) platinum, dim. from plata silver: see -ine4.]
The earlier name of platinum.
| 1750 Phil. Trans. XLVI. 584 Several Papers concerning a new Semi-Metal, called Platina. 1754 Lewis ibid. XLVIII. 638 The substance brought into England under the name of platina appears a mixture of dissimilar particles. 1786 Jefferson Writ. (1859) I. 505 You have often heard of the metal, called platina, to be found only in South America. 1815 J. Smith Panorama Sc. & Art II. 91 Platina is the heaviest body known to exist. 1840 Penny Cycl. XVIII. 230/2 Platina or Platinum an important metal. [In the article platina is the only form used.] 1865 Pall Mall G. 28 June 7 The prisoner denied that he had ever stolen any platina, and said he was innocent of the charge. |
b. attrib. (usually = Consisting or made of platinum) and Comb.
| 1794 Pearson in Phil. Trans. LXXXIV. 388 A small piece of purified white lac, in a platina spoon. 1819 J. G. Children Chem. Anal. 375 Held in a pair of platina pincers. 1825 J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 356 He..determined to try to draw platina-wire. 1883 Hardwich's Photogr. Chem. (ed. Taylor) 307 To have it [an enlargement] made on a more stable and permanent base than silver, hence carbon and platina printing find most favour for such a purpose. |
▪ II. platina
see platin.