What is "black latten"

Latten \Lat"ten\, n. [OE. latoun, laton, OF. laton, F. laiton, prob. fr. OF. late lath, F. latte; -- because made in thin plates; cf. It. latta a sheet of tinned iron, tin plate. F. latte is of German origin. See Lath a thin board.]

1. A kind of brass hammered into thin sheets, formerly much used for making church utensils, as candlesticks, crosses, etc.; -- called also latten brass.

   He had a cross of latoun full of stones.
   --Chaucer.

2. Sheet tin; iron plate, covered with tin; also, any metal in thin sheets; as, gold latten.

   Black latten, brass in milled sheets, composed of copper and zinc, used by braziers, and for drawing into wire.

   Roll latten, latten polished on both sides ready for use.

   Shaven latten, a thinner kind than black latten.

   White latten, a mixture of brass and tin.

n. brass in milled sheets, composed of copper and zinc, used by braziers, and for drawing into wire