The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Zinc \Zinc\ (z[i^][ng]k), n. [G. zink, probably akin to zinn
   tin: cf. F. zinc, from the German. Cf. Tin.] (Chem.)
   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 number 30. Atomic
   weight 65.38. [Formerly written also zink.]
   [1913 Webster]

   Butter of zinc (Old Chem.), zinc chloride, ZnCl2, a
      deliquescent white waxy or oily substance.

   Oxide of zinc. (Chem.) See Zinc oxide, below.

   Zinc amine (Chem.), a white amorphous substance,
      Zn(NH2)2, obtained by the action of ammonia on zinc
      ethyl; -- called also zinc amide.

   Zinc amyle (Chem.), a colorless, transparent liquid,
      composed of zinc and amyle, which, when exposed to the
      atmosphere, emits fumes, and absorbs oxygen with rapidity.


   Zinc blende [cf. G. zinkblende] (Min.), a native zinc
      sulphide. See Blende, n.
   (a) .

   Zinc bloom [cf. G. zinkblumen flowers of zinc, oxide of
      zinc] (Min.), hydrous carbonate of zinc, usually occurring
      in white earthy incrustations; -- called also
      hydrozincite.

   Zinc ethyl (Chem.), a colorless, transparent, poisonous
      liquid, composed of zinc and ethyl, which takes fire
      spontaneously on exposure to the atmosphere.

   Zinc green, a green pigment consisting of zinc and cobalt
      oxides; -- called also Rinmann's green.

   Zinc methyl (Chem.), a colorless mobile liquid Zn(CH3)2,
      produced by the action of methyl iodide on a zinc sodium
      alloy. It has a disagreeable odor, and is spontaneously
      inflammable in the air. It has been of great importance in
      the synthesis of organic compounds, and is the type of a
      large series of similar compounds, as zinc ethyl, zinc
      amyle, etc.

   Zinc oxide (Chem.), the oxide of zinc, ZnO, forming a
      light fluffy sublimate when zinc is burned; -- called also
      flowers of zinc, philosopher's wool, nihil album,
      etc. The impure oxide produced by burning the metal,
      roasting its ores, or in melting brass, is called also
      pompholyx, and tutty.

   Zinc spinel (Min.), a mineral, related to spinel,
      consisting essentially of the oxides of zinc and
      aluminium; gahnite.

   Zinc vitriol (Chem.), zinc sulphate. See White vitriol,
      under Vitriol.

   Zinc white, a white powder consisting of zinc oxide, used
      as a pigment.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

zinc oxide
    n 1: oxide of zinc; a white powder used as a pigment or in
         cosmetics or glass or inks and in zinc ointment [syn: zinc
         oxide, flowers of zinc, philosopher's wool,
         philosophers' wool]