| Zaffer | n. [ F. zafre, safre; cf. Sp. zafra, safra, It. saffera, G. zaffer; all probably of Arabic origin. Cf. Zaphara. ] A pigment obtained, usually by roasting cobalt glance with sand or quartz, as a dark earthy powder. It consists of crude cobalt oxide, or of an impure cobalt arseniate. It is used in porcelain painting, and in enameling pottery, to produce a blue color, and is often confounded with smalt, from which, however, it is distinct, as it contains no potash. The name is often loosely applied to mixtures of zaffer proper with silica, or oxides of iron, manganese, etc. [ Written also zaffre, and formerly zaffree, zaffar, zaffir. ] [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Gaffer | n. [ Possibly contr. fr. godfather; but prob. fr. gramfer for grandfather. Cf. Gammer. ] 1. An old fellow; an aged rustic. [ 1913 Webster ] Go to each gaffer and each goody. Fawkes. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ Gaffer was originally a respectful title, now degenerated into a term of familiarity or contempt when addressed to an aged man in humble life. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A foreman or overseer of a gang of laborers. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ] |
