graffito

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: graf=fi=to

CIDE DICTIONARY

graffito, n. [It., fr. graffio a scratching.].

•  Production of decorative designs by scratching them through a surface of layer plaster, glazing, etc., revealing a different-colored ground; also, pottery or ware so decorated; -- chiefly used attributively.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
•  the singular form of graffiti, seldom used.  [PJC]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

graffito, n. (pl. graffiti)
1 (usu. in pl.) a piece of writing or drawing scribbled, scratched, or sprayed on a surface.

Usage

Not a mass noun in this sense, and so a plural construction is needed, e.g. graffiti are (not is) an art form.
2 Art a form of decoration made by scratches on wet plaster, showing a different-coloured under-surface.

Etymology

It. f. graffio a scratch