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lampblack. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
lampblack, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
lampblack in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
lampblack you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From lamp + black.
Noun
lampblack (countable and uncountable, plural lampblacks)
- An amorphous form of carbon made from incompletely burned organic matter; used to make pigments and inks.
1906, James George Frazer, Adonis, Attis, Osiris, volume 2, page 261:A smudge of lampblack is made on his forehead to disfigure him and thus avert the evil eye.
Translations
Verb
lampblack (third-person singular simple present lampblacks, present participle lampblacking, simple past and past participle lampblacked)
- (transitive) To blacken (something) using this form of carbon.
1676 December 11 (first performance), [William] Wycherley, The Plain-Dealer. A Comedy. , London: T N for James Magnes and Rich Bentley , published 1677, →OCLC, Act III, page 42:Gadsbodkins, you puny Upſtart in the Law, to uſe me ſo, you Green Bag Carrier, you Murderer of unfortunate Cauſes, the Clerks Ink is ſcarce off of your fingers, you that newly come from Lamblacking the Judges ſhooes, and are not fit to wipe mine; […]