lampblack

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)An amorphous form of carbon made from incompletely burned organic matter; used to make pigments and inks.

   “This Messrs. Greener and Straite allege they have effected by taking a quantity of lampblack or powdered charcoal, or of powdered coke, and which has been purified, by the action of electricity from sulphur and any other mixtures, and digesting the same in diluted nitro-muriatic acid.”

   “A smudge of lampblack is made on his forehead to disfigure him and thus avert the evil eye.”

verb

1. (transitive)To blacken (something) using this form of carbon.

   “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; […]”