| anthracite | A hard, compact variety of mineral coal, of high luster, differing from bituminous coal in containing little or no bitumen, in consequence of which it burns with a nearly non luminous flame. The purer specimens consist almost wholly of carbon. Also called glance coal and blind coal. Origin: L. Anthracites a kind of bloodstone; fr. Gr. Like coals, fr, coal or charcoal. Cf. Anthrax. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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