Grāph'ite, n.

n. [Fr. graphite, from Gr. γράφειν, to write.] (Min.) Carbon in one of its conditions, distinguished by its usually crystallizing in foliated six-sided prisms, though often massive, by its softness, its metallic luster, and by leaving a dark lead-colored trace on paper. It sometimes contains iron, but this is not essential. It is used for pencils, and is often called plumbago or black-lead. Cleaveland.