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bone black
noun
: the black residue chiefly of tribasic calcium phosphate and carbon from bones calcined in closed vessels used especially as a pigment or as a decolorizing adsorbent in sugar manufacturing
called also bone char
Examples of bone black in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As previously reported, past analyses of Rembrandt's paintings identified many pigments the Dutch master used in his work, including lead white, multiple ochres, bone black, vermilion, madder lake, azurite, ultramarine, yellow lake, and lead-tin yellow, among others.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 25 July 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bone black.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1735, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near bone black
Cite this Entry
“Bone black.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bone%20black. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
bone black
noun
: the black chiefly carbon matter that is left from bones heated in a closed container and is used especially as a pigment or a material to remove color from other things
More from Merriam-Webster on bone black
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bone black
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