black lead

[ led ]

/ lɛd /

graphite; plumbago.

Origin of black lead

First recorded in 1575–85

To a chemist diamond and black-lead have the same composition, being indeed the same substance.

The Story of a Tinder-box |Charles Meymott Tidy
Mark the case, with a black-lead pencil, at every half-inch; suspend it in the lathe; and cut it at the marks.

The Pyrotechnist's Treasury |Thomas Kentish
A piece of transparent paper is then laid over the design to be copied, and traced in outline with a black-lead pencil.

Popular Technology; Volume 2 |Edward Hazen
Owing to its position near the black-lead mines, this was one of the earliest Lake mountains of which we have a recorded ascent.

Climbing in The British Isles. Vol. 1 - England |W. P. Haskett Smith

The article to be copied is first covered with black-lead, and then a mould is made of it in wax or gutta-percha.

A Catechism of Familiar Things; Their History, and the Events Which Led to Their Discovery |Benziger Brothers

black lead

/ (lɛd) /

another name for graphite