graphite

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a soft, dark allotrope of carbon whose atoms form loosely stacked hexagonal layers, used in pencils, lubricants, electrodes, and some nuclear reactors

   Graphite blocks slowed the neutrons inside the first nuclear pile.

2. 2
   noun

   a strong lightweight composite material reinforced with carbon fibers

   The bicycle frame is made from graphite reinforced with resin.

3. 3
   noun

   a dark gray color resembling pencil marks

   The jacket is available in black, navy, and graphite.

Borrowed from German Graphit, coined in 1789 from Greek graphein ("to write") + the mineral suffix -ite. The name refers to graphite's long use as a writing material.

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