fusain

American  

[fyoo-zeyn, fyoo-zeyn, fy-zan] / fyuˈzeɪn, ˈfyu zeɪn, füˈzɛ̃ /

noun

plural

fusains

1. a fine charcoal used in drawing, made from the wood of the spindle tree.

2. a drawing made with this charcoal.

3. a blackish-gray, friable component of coal with a silky luster that leaves a charcoallike mark.

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fusain British  

/ fjuːˈzeɪn, fyzɛ̃ /

noun

1. a fine charcoal pencil or stick made from the spindle tree

2. a drawing done with such a pencil

3. a dull black brittle form of carbon resembling charcoal, found in certain coals

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Etymology

Origin of fusain

1865–70; < French: spindle tree, charcoal made from its wood < Vulgar Latin *fūsāgīn- (stem of *fūsāgō ), derivative of Latin fūsus spindle

Example Sentences

Here and there the fusain burned like a flame with its vivid scarlet berries—chapeau de cur� the country people call them, though the colour is a little too gay for less than a cardinal's wearing.

From Schwartz: A History From "Schwartz" by David Christie Murray by Murray, David Christie