Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
black lead. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
black lead, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
black lead in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
black lead you have here. The definition of the word
black lead will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
black lead, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
In the sense of lead, calque of Latin plumbum nigrum (“lead”, literally “black lead”).
Noun
black lead (countable and uncountable, plural black leads)
- (now historical) The metal lead.
- Antonym: white lead
- Graphite, especially as used in pencils.
- (countable) A graphite pencil.
- (now historical) A type of polish made from graphite, used for kitchen cleaning and blackening grates.
1828, JT Smith, Nollekens and His Times, Century Hutchinson, published 1986, page 271:She always washed without soap: there were no hearth-stones nor black-lead dust for the stoves; nor a cake of whitening for the kitchen-grate […] .
Translations