fusain

[ fyoo-zeyn, fyoo-zeyn; French fy-zan ]

noun

, plural fu·sains [fyoo-, zeynz, fyoo, -zeynz, f, y, -, zan]

1. a fine charcoal used in drawing, made from the wood of the spindle tree.
2. a drawing made with this charcoal.
3. a blackish-gray, friable component of coal with a silky luster that leaves a charcoallike mark.

fusain

/ fjuːˈzeɪn; fyzɛ̃ /

noun

1. a fine charcoal pencil or stick made from the spindle tree
2. a drawing done with such a pencil
3. a dull black brittle form of carbon resembling charcoal, found in certain coals

Word History and Origins

Origin of fusain¹

1865–70; < French: spindle tree, charcoal made from its wood < Vulgar Latin *fūsāgīn- (stem of *fūsāgō ), derivative of Latin fūsus spindle

Word History and Origins

Origin of fusain¹

C19: from French: spindle tree or charcoal made from it, from Vulgar Latin fūsāgō (unattested) a spindle (generally made from the spindle tree), from Latin fūsus