India ink

noun

, (sometimes lowercase)

1. a black pigment consisting of lampblack mixed with glue or size.
2. a liquid ink from this.

Word History and Origins

Origin of India ink¹

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

The Japanese artist makes his little world,—often nothing but an India-ink world,—but its occupants live within it.

From Project Gutenberg

Belemnites have sometimes been sketched with fossil sepia, or india ink, from their own ink sacs.

From Project Gutenberg

Belief shading for maps can also be made with a brush in flat washes of either india ink or lampblack.

From Project Gutenberg

I have had this paper translated into English and illustrated by india-ink drawings.

From Project Gutenberg

They should be marked with india-ink in large, plain figures.

From Project Gutenberg