grahamite

[ grey-uh-mahyt ]

noun

, Mineralogy.

1. an asphaltite with a pitch-black luster.

Word History and Origins

Origin of grahamite¹

1865–70, Americanism; named after J. A. and J. L. Graham, 19th-century American mineowners; -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Grahamite and glance-pitch are common, and are exported for use in varnish and paint manufactures.

From Project Gutenberg

In the sedimentary rocks of North America there occur also extensive and valuable deposits of semifluid and solid hydrocarbons, such as maltha, asphaltum, albertite, grahamite, uintahite, etc., which have arisen, under the most plausible explanation thus far offered, from the concentration by evaporation of fluid hydrocarbons such as petroleum.

From Project Gutenberg

Albertite, a bright, coal-like substance, exceedingly rich in volatile hydrocarbon, occupies fissures in Carboniferous rocks in Nova Scotia, and a similar but less lustrous mineral, termed grahamite, occurs in fissures in rock of the same age, near a rich oil-pool in West Virginia.

From Project Gutenberg

This series of substances includes natural or rock-gas, petroleum, maltha or semifluid hydrocarbon, and solid hydrocarbons, such as asphaltum, albertite, grahamite, 339 ozokerite, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

Here I found my friend, and after a wholesome Grahamite supper of corn-bread, apple-pie and milk, I had a long conversation with him and others on Community matters.

From Project Gutenberg