silverware

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
silver/ˈsɪlvə(r)/

▶noun

• 1 a precious shiny greyish-white metal, the chemical element of atomic number 47. (Symbol: Ag)

• 2 a shiny grey-white colour or appearance like that of silver.

• 3 silver dishes, containers, or cutlery.

  ■ household cutlery of any material.

• 4 coins made from silver or from a metal that resembles silver.

  ■ chiefly Scottish money.

▶verb

• 1 coat or plate with silver.

• 2 provide (mirror glass) with a backing of a silver-coloured material in order to make it reflective.

• 3 literary (especially of the moon) give a silvery appearance to.

• 4 (with reference to hair) turn or cause to turn grey or white.

– phrases
be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth be born into a wealthy family of high social standing.
the silver screen the cinema industry.

– derivatives
silvered adjective,
silveriness noun,
silvering noun,
silverware noun,
silvery adjective.

– origin OE seolfor, of Gmc origin.