plumbago

[pluhm-bey-goh]

noun, plural plum·ba·gos.

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

Origin of plumbago

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for plumbago

Historical Examples of plumbago

As the last, but employing shredded tow or plumbago for horse-dung.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II
Arnold Cooley
As the preceding, but employing mixtures of plumbago and crocus in various proportions according to the shade desired.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I
Arnold Cooley
The crucibles commonly used for fusing metals are formed of clay, or a mixture of plumbago and clay.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I
Arnold Cooley
So, getting no reply, he added, "I presume that your plumbago is better."
The Rainbow Book Tales of Fun & Fancy
Mabel Henriette Spielmann
There is therefore reason to believe that this plumbago had been in fusion.
Theory of the Earth, Volume 1 (of 4)
James Hutton

British Dictionary definitions for plumbago

plumbago

noun plural -gos

any plumbaginaceous plant of the genus Plumbago, of warm regions, having clusters of blue, white, or red flowersSee also leadwort
another name for graphite

Word Origin for plumbago

C17: from Latin: lead ore, leadwort, translation of Greek polubdaina lead ore, from polubdos lead

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for plumbago

"graphite," 1784, from Latin plumbago "a type of lead ore, black lead," from plumbum "lead" (see plumb (n.)); it renders Greek molybdaina, which was used of yellow lead oxide and also of a type of plant (leadwort). Attested in English in the yellow oxide sense from 1610s; as a type of plant from 1747. Related: Plumbaginous.