A patina is a thin layer of something that has formed on the surface of something.
The trophy is very impressive and rather special because it has a beautiful greenpatina.
He allowed a fine patina of old coffee to develop around the inside of the mug. [+ of]
2. singular noun
The patina on an old object is an attractive soft shine that has developed on its surface, usually because it has been used a lot.
...a mahogany door that is golden brown with the patina of age. [+ of]
3. singular noun
If you say that someone has a patinaof a quality or characteristic, you mean that they have a small but impressive amount of this quality or characteristic.
...a superficial patina of knowledge. [+ of]
Except for a patina of charisma, he was like a thousand other bright young men inToronto.
patina in British English1
(ˈpætɪnə)
nounWord forms: plural-nas
1.
a film of oxide formed on the surface of a metal, esp the green oxidation of bronze or copper
See also verdigris (sense 1)
2.
any fine layer on a surface
a patina of frost
3.
the sheen on a surface that is caused by much handling
Word origin
C18: from Italian: coating, from Latin: patina2
patina in British English2
(ˈpætɪnə)
nounWord forms: plural-nae (-ˌniː)
a broad shallow dish used in ancient Rome
Word origin
from Latin, from Greek patanē platter
patina in American English1
(ˈpætənə)
nounWord forms: pluralˈpatiˌnae (ˈpætˌni)
var. of
paten
patina in American English2
(ˈpætənə; pəˈtinə)
noun
1.
a fine crust or film on bronze or copper, usually green or greenish-blue, formed by natural oxidation and often valued as being ornamental
2.
any thin coating or color change resulting from age, as on old wood or silver
Word origin
Fr < It, orig., tarnish (on a metal plate), prob. < L, pan: see patella
Examples of 'patina' in a sentence
patina
The years of wear have only added to the patina and richness of the surfaces.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This may darken the wood slightly, but adds to the patina.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Everything was in oil paint, which soon acquired a patina.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The front door has, indeed, acquired a nice patina of age.