"alloy of 3 or 4 parts copper and 1 of zinc," much used in cheap jewelry, from 1732, in reference to Christopher Pinchbeck, 18c. London watch- and toy-maker, who evidently developed it.
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Definitions of pinchbeck from WordNet
1
pinchbeck (n.)
an alloy of copper and zinc that is used in cheap jewelry to imitate gold;