an abundant element of the magnesium-cadmium group, extracted principally from the minerals zinc blende, smithsonite, calamine, and franklinite, as an easily fusible bluish white metal, which is malleable, especially when heated. it is not easily oxidized in moist air, and hence is used for sheeting, coating galvanized iron, etc. it is used in making brass, britannia, and other alloys, and is also largely consumed in electric batteries. symbol zn. atomic weight 64.9.-to coat with zinc; to galvanize.