[f. VULCAN sb. + -ITE1. Hence F. vulcanite (in sense 2).]
† 1. Pyroxene. Obs. (Cf. VOLCANITE1.)
1836. T. Thomson, Min., Geol., etc., I. 190. Pyroxene. Augite, baikalite,… vulcanite, asbestus in part.
c. 1840. Encycl. Metrop. (1845), VI. 527/2. Vulcanite. Augite.
2. A preparation of india rubber and sulphur hardened by exposure to intense heat; ebonite.
1860. Ure’s Dict. Arts (ed. 5), I. 602. Indian-rubber and vulcanite, or hard rubber.
1867. Bloxam, Chem., 482. When a sheet of caoutchouc is … still further heated, [it] is converted into the black horny substance called vulcanite or ebonite, and used for the manufacture of combs, &c.
1889. Welch, Text Bk. Naval Archit., xii. 135. They … have about four feet of their length made of teak or vulcanite in order to break the continuity of the metal pipe.
b. attrib. Made of vulcanite.
1866. Microscop. Jrnl., VI. 168. You will oblige me by correcting an error in your report of my remarks on vulcanite cells.
1869. Eng. Mech., 3 Dec., 273/1. The same effect may be produced by rubbing a vulcanite comb on the sleeve of a coat.
1879. T. Bryant, Pract. Surg., II. 34. The vulcanite canula is good for constant use.
