\Pew"ter\, n. [OE. pewtyr, OF. peutre, peautre, piautre:
cf. D. peauter, piauter, It. peltro, Sp. & Pg. peltre, LL.
peutreum, pestrum. Cf. {Spelter}.]
1. A hard, tough, but easily fusible, alloy, originally
   consisting of tin with a little lead, but afterwards
   modified by the addition of copper, antimony, or bismuth.
2. Utensils or vessels made of pewter, as dishes, porringers,
   drinking vessels, tankards, pots.
Note: Pewter was formerly much used for domestic utensils.
      Inferior sorts contain a large proportion of lead.