mass noun
1
- a soft, malleable, greyish-yellow paste, made from whiting and raw linseed oil, that hardens after a few hours and is used chiefly for sealing glass panes in wooden window frames油灰, 腻子（主要用来密封窗玻璃）。
1.1
- usu. with modifier any of a number of similar malleable substances used inside and outside buildings, e.g. plumber's putty, lime putty, or used for modelling or casting, e.g. epoxy putty油灰性状的物质（用于建筑物内外或模型制造和铸造）。
2
- a polishing powder, usually made from tin oxide, used in jewellery work擦光粉, 抛光粉（用于珠宝加工）。
短语
be (like) putty in someone's hands
- be easily manipulated or dominated by someone易为…所摆布（或操纵）。
词源
mid 17th cent.: from French potée, literally 'potful', from pot 'pot'.
- another term for PUDDYSTICKS.