graphite
/ˈɡɹæfaɪt/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.35 in modern English
14
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
2
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
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.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
Graphite-reinforced plastic, a composite plastic made with graphite fibers noted for lightweight strength and stiffness.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "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, […]"
- "Modern tennis racquets are made of graphite, fibreglass and other man-made materials."
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *gerbʰ- Proto-Hellenic *grə́pʰō Ancient Greek γράφω (gráphō) Proto-Indo-European *-tósder. Ancient Greek -της (-tēs)der. Ancient Greek -ῑ́της (-ī́tēs)der. Latin -ītēslbor. French -itebor. German -it German Graphitbor. English graphite Borrowed from German Graphit (A. G. Werner 1789), from Ancient Greek γράφω (gráphō, “to write”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: Graphit
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈɡɹæfaɪt/
Usage
Inflected Forms
Derived Forms
Phrases
Frequently Paired Words
Synonyms
plumbago
black lead
carbon fiber reinforced plastic
carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer
graphite composite
CFRP
CRP