lampblack en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree Ancient Greek λᾰ́μπω (lắmpō) Ancient Greek -άζω (-ázō) Ancient Greek -ᾰ́ς (-ắs) Ancient Greek λᾰμπᾰ́ς (lămpắs) Byzantine Greek λαμπάδα (lampáda)bor. Late Latin lampada Old French lampebor. Middle English laumpe English lamp Proto-Germanic *blakaz Proto-West Germanic *blak Old English blæc Middle English blak English black English lampblack From lamp + black.
Meanings
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(countable, uncountable) An amorphous form of carbon made from soot (incompletely burned organic matter); used to make pigments and inks.
A smudge of lampblack is made on his forehead to disfigure him and thus avert the evil eye.
1906, James George Frazer, Adonis, Attis, Osiris, volume 2, page 261:This Messrs. Greener and Straite allege they have effected by taking a quantity of lampblack or powdered charcoal, or of powdered coke, and which has been purified, by the action of electricity from sulphur and any other mixtures, and digesting the same in diluted nitro-muriatic acid.
1846, editorial staff, “CHEMISTRY”, in Scientific American, series 1, Volume 2, Issue 13, page 102:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| lamp-black | alternative | lexicographic | |
| lampblacks | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Translations (13)
ga smúrabhán (form of carbon) · cmn 油煙 /油烟 (form of carbon) · ja 油煙 (form of carbon) · pl barwnik sadzowy (form of carbon) · fr noir de fumée (form of carbon) · la fūlīgō (form of carbon) · ga dubh súiche (form of carbon) · ro chinoroz (form of carbon) · fi noki (form of carbon) · ota قوروم (form of carbon) · bg сажди (form of carbon) · ota ایس (form of carbon) · io fumonigro (form of carbon)