plumbago

American  

[pluhm-bey-goh] / plʌmˈbeɪ goʊ /

noun

plural

plumbagos

1. graphite.

2. a drawing made by an instrument with a lead point.

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plumbago British  

/ plʌmˈbeɪɡəʊ /

noun

1. any plumbaginaceous plant of the genus Plumbago, of warm regions, having clusters of blue, white, or red flowers See also leadwort

2. another name for graphite

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Etymology

Origin of plumbago

1595–1605; < Latin plumbāgō, translation of Greek molýbdaina lead ore, derivative of mólybdos lead

Example Sentences

Like Larkin, he took his subjects oddly and greedily: the death of bookshops, trimming plumbago, old silos, a man whose uncle held the dying Nelson on the deck of H.M.S.

From New York Times

After a month away, I found my garden had lost much of its greenery except for the plumbago – which I found in full bloom.

From The Guardian

Among the streets worst hit: Via Ondulando, a typical postwar street of ranch and Spanish homes, diamond grid windows, lush front lawns, birds of paradise, baby blue plumbago, Italian cypress.

From Los Angeles Times

When I was twelve, and could handle a horse as well as a plumbago pencil, the doctor set me off to neighboring parishes each Sabbath to copy other rectors' sermons.

From Literature

Until then, prospective buyers can admire the roughly 200-foot gated driveway surrounded by olive, lemon and palm trees, and blooms of plumbago flowers.

From The Wall Street Journal