English Explanatory Dictionary

graphite

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An allotrope of carbon, consisting of planes of carbon atoms arranged in hexagonal arrays with the planes stacked loosely, that is used as a dry lubricant, in "lead" pencils, and as a moderator in some nuclear reactors.
  2. Graphite-reinforced plastic, a composite plastic made with graphite fibers noted for lightweight strength and stiffness.
  3. A grey colour, resembling graphite or the marks made with a graphite pencil.
verb
  1. To apply graphite to.

Pronunciation

/ˈɡɹæfaɪt/ En-us-graphite.ogg En-uk-graphite.ogg

Word forms

graphite graphites graphiting graphited

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *gerbʰ- Proto-Hellenic *grə́pʰō Ancient Greek γρᾰ́φω (grắphō) Proto-Indo-European *-tósder. Ancient Greek -της (-tēs)der. Ancient Greek -ῑ́της (-ī́tēs)der. Latin -ītēsbor. French -itebor. German -it German Graphitbor. English graphite Borrowed from German Graphit (A. G. Werner 1789), from Ancient Greek γράφω (gráphō, “to write”).

Synonyms

plumbago black lead carbon fiber reinforced plastic carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer graphite composite CFRP CRP

Related words

diamond

Derived words

aerographite electrographite Graphalloy graphene graphite bomb graphite fluoride graphitelike graphitic graphitization graphitize graphitoid nanographite nongraphite
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