Ebonite
/ˈɛb.ə.naɪt/noun
A hard, black form of vulcanized rubber formerly used for electrical insulation and other durable goods.
Did you know?Ebonite rods became classic tools in early electrostatics because rubbing them with fur typically gave them a negative electric charge.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Egyptian
Egyptian
hbny
“A dark, valuable wood identified with ebony; the source of later Mediterranean forms.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἔβενος (ébenos)
“Ebony wood, borrowed from an older Egyptian or Near Eastern source.”
Classical Latin
Latin
ebenus
“Ebony; the dark wood used for costly objects and decoration.”
Middle English
English
ebony
“The black or very dark wood of certain tropical trees.”
19th Century
English
ebonite
“A coined material name formed from ebony plus -ite, referring to rubber hardened until it resembled ebony.”
Modern English
English
ebonite
“Hard vulcanized rubber, especially the black variety used in early electrical experiments and durable manufactured objects.”