noun / adjective
anthracite
AN-thruh-syte/ˈænθrəsaɪt/
Hard, dark coal with a glossy surface and little smoke when burned.
A glossy lump of anthracite rests beside the other coal samples.
Etymology
The pieces give “coal-like,” from the Greek word for a live coal. The name first designated a gemstone before being applied to the hard, lustrous coal known as anthracite.
In context
Anthracite then, is the highest rank of coal. This is virtually pure carbon. It's very shiny, quite hard, a bit denser uh than other coals. Will burn a lot hotter once you get it going.
More examples
- The old stove was designed to burn anthracite.
- She chooses an anthracite coat in a nearly black shade.
- The exhibit traces the region's history of anthracite mining.
Similar words
- coal
- The broader fuel category, including softer varieties.
- charcoal
- A different carbon-rich material made by heating organic matter.