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countable and uncountable, plural lampblacks
An amorphous form of carbon made from incompletely burned organic matter; used to make pigments and inks. quotations examples
A smudge of lampblack is made on his forehead to disfigure him and thus avert the evil eye.
1906, James George Frazer, Adonis, Attis, Osiris, volume 2, page 261
third-person singular simple present lampblacks, present participle lampblacking, simple past and past participle lampblacked
(transitive) To blacken (something) using this form of carbon. quotations examples
Gadsbodkins, you puny Upſtart in the Law, to uſe me ſo, you Green Bag Carrier, you Murderer of unfortunate Cauſes, the Clerks Ink is ſcarce off of your fingers, you that newly come from Lamblacking the Judges ſhooes, and are not fit to wipe mine; […]
1676 December 11 (first performance), [William] Wycherley, The Plain-Dealer. A Comedy. […], London: […] T[homas] N[ewcomb] for James Magnes and Rich[ard] Bentley […], published 1677, Act III, page 42