graphite

Etymology

Borrowed from German Graphit (A. G. Werner 1789), from Ancient Greek γράφω (gráphō, “I write”).

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.
   Technical terms like ferrite, perlite, graphite, and hardenite were bandied to and fro, and when Paget glibly brought out such a rare exotic as ferro-molybdenum, Benson forgot that he was a master ship-builder, […] 1928, Lawrence R. Bourne, chapter 4, in Well Tackled!
2. Short for graphite-reinforced plastic, a composite plastic made with graphite fibers noted for light weight strength and stiffness.
   Modern tennis racquets are made of graphite, fibreglass and other man-made materials.
3. A grey colour, resembling graphite or the marks made with a graphite pencil.
   graphite:

verb

1. (transitive) To apply graphite to.