lampblack

[ lamp-blak ]

noun

1. a fine black pigment consisting of almost pure carbon collected as soot from the smoke of burning oil, gas, etc.

lampblack

/ ˈlæmpˌblæk /

noun

1. a finely divided form of almost pure carbon produced by the incomplete combustion of organic compounds, such as natural gas, used in making carbon electrodes and dynamo brushes and as a pigment

Word History and Origins

Origin of lampblack¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; lamp + black

Example Sentences

Upon it they wrote with pens made of split reeds and with a thick ink made of soot (lampblack) mixed with resinous gums.

From Project Gutenberg

If red is desired, use rouge; if black is preferred, use lampblack or powdered graphite.

From Project Gutenberg

I supposed you were drawing lampblack caricatures of some one of the tutors in old Yale.

From Project Gutenberg

Rude lettering upon the walls recorded the fact in lampblack, and a monster hand pointed with index finger to its temporary bar.

From Project Gutenberg

Boil the logwood for 30 minutes in a gallon of water, and then add the copperas and lampblack.

From Project Gutenberg