plumbago

[ pluhm-bey-goh ]

noun

, plural plum·ba·gos.

1. graphite.
2. a drawing made by an instrument with a lead point.

plumbago

/ plʌmˈbeɪɡəʊ /

noun

1. any plumbaginaceous plant of the genus Plumbago, of warm regions, having clusters of blue, white, or red flowers See also leadwort
2. another name for graphite

Word History and Origins

Origin of plumbago¹

1595–1605; < Latin plumbāgō, translation of Greek molýbdaina lead ore, derivative of mólybdos lead

Word History and Origins

Origin of plumbago¹

C17: from Latin: lead ore, leadwort, translation of Greek polubdaina lead ore, from polubdos lead

Example Sentences

Like Larkin, he took his subjects oddly and greedily: the death of bookshops, trimming plumbago, old silos, a man whose uncle held the dying Nelson on the deck of H.M.S.

From New York Times

After a month away, I found my garden had lost much of its greenery except for the plumbago – which I found in full bloom.

From The Guardian

Among the streets worst hit: Via Ondulando, a typical postwar street of ranch and Spanish homes, diamond grid windows, lush front lawns, birds of paradise, baby blue plumbago, Italian cypress.

From Los Angeles Times

I set the glass in a heap on the table, then picked up my small table-book and plumbago pencil.

From Literature

Until then, prospective buyers can admire the roughly 200-foot gated driveway surrounded by olive, lemon and palm trees, and blooms of plumbago flowers.

From Wall Street Journal