Etymology

black lead

Today it means: The metal lead. Full definition →

First used 14th c.Latin plumbum nigrum
Ask AI about its historyChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

The story

  1. Latin · calque ofplumbum nigrum“lead”
  2. English todayblack lead

In the sense of lead, calque of Latin plumbum nigrum (“lead”, literally “black lead”).

First known use, by meaning

  • from 14th c. The metal lead.
  • from 16th c. Graphite, especially as used in pencils.
  • from 19th c. A type of polish made from graphite, used for kitchen cleaning and blackening grates.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.