vulcanite

American  

[vuhl-kuh-nahyt] / ˈvʌl kəˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a hard, readily cut and polished rubber, obtained by vulcanizing rubber with a large amount of sulfur, used in the manufacture of combs, buttons, and for electric insulation.

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vulcanite British  

/ ˈvʌlkəˌnaɪt /

noun

1. Also called: ebonite.  a hard usually black rubber produced by vulcanizing natural rubber with large amounts of sulphur. It is resistant to chemical attack: used for chemical containers, electrical insulators, etc

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Etymology

Origin of vulcanite

First recorded in 1830–40; Vulcan + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

The vulcanite cases were certainly a bargain�only a shilling a sackful�and they blazed warmly in open grates.

From Time Magazine Archive

These glasses are mounted in handsome vulcanite frames, and are very compact.

From Stamp Collecting as a Pastime by Nankivell, Edward James

For the mechanical correction of palatal defects causing imperfection of deglutition and speech, which comes distinctly within the province of the prosthetic dentist, the vulcanite base produces the best-known apparatus.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2 "Demijohn" to "Destructor" by Various

There was a little desk, a pair of receivers fastened to a headpiece, and a small vulcanite transmitter.

From Jack O' Judgment by Wallace, Edgar

Two parallel coils of wire were wound in channels cut round rings of brass, which, however, were cut across by slots filled with vulcanite, to prevent induced currents from circulating in the brass.

From Lord Kelvin An account of his scientific life and work by Gray, Andrew