An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

A class of → alloys in which → copper and → tin are the dominant elements. The name is extended by usage to include many other copper-rich alloys containing → phosphorus, → manganese, → aluminium, or → silicon.

From Fr. bronze, from It. bronzo, from M.L. bronzium, of unknown origin, maybe from Iranian, cf. Mid.Pers. brinj "bronze, brass;" Mod.Pers. berenj "brass."

Boronz, loan from Fr., as above. Mefraq, from Ar.

A period of time between the → Stone Age and the → Iron Age when bronze was used widely to make tools, weapons, and other implements. The Bronze Age starts at different areas of the world at different times. The earliest use of bronze for making farm tools and weapons are found in Near and Middle East and date back to about 3700 BC. The Bronze Age starts about 2300 BC in Europe.

→ bronze; → age.