Eraser

DEFINITION

A tool used in the erasure of parts of drawings. Graphite pencil drawings are erased with any of several types of rubber. (It was after this use that the substance called rubber received its name.) Lighter parts of charcoal drawings can be erased with either a kneaded eraser (also called putty rubber) or a kneaded piece of fresh bread. Wax crayons and lithographic crayons cannot be erased unless they are on non-absorbent surfaces.(ə-RAY-sər or ee-RAY-sər)Also see canvas scraper, clean up, palimpsest, solvent, and stain removal.