plumbago

3 definitions found

plumbago - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Graphite \Graph"ite\, n. [Gr. gra`fein to write: cf. F.
     graphite. See Graphic.] (Min.)
     Native carbon in hexagonal crystals, also foliated or
     granular massive, of black color and metallic luster, and so
     soft as to leave a trace on paper. It is used for pencils
     (improperly called lead pencils), for crucibles, and as a
     lubricator, etc. Often called plumbago or black lead.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Graphite battery (Elec.), a voltaic battery consisting of
        zinc and carbon in sulphuric acid, or other exciting
        liquid.
        [1913 Webster]

  Plumbago \Plum*ba"go\, n. [L., from plumbum lead.]
     1. (Min.) Same as Graphite.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Bot.) A genus of herbaceous plants with pretty
        salver-shaped corollas, usually blue or violet; leadwort.
        [1913 Webster] Plumbean

plumbago - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  plumbago
      n 1: used as a lubricant and as a moderator in nuclear reactors
           [syn: graphite, black lead, plumbago]
      2: any plumbaginaceous plant of the genus Plumbago