coal

plural coals · alternative obsolete cole · alternative obsolete coale · alternative obsolete colle · alternative obsolete coole · alternative obsolete coell · alternative obsolete coile

1. uncountableA black or brownish black rock formed from prehistoric plant remains, composed largely of carbon and burned as a fuel.

   The coal in this region was prized by ironmasters in centuries past, who mined it in the spots where the drainage methods of the day permitted.

   1 more example

   Coal-eaters they may have been, but a more willing or harder working Atlantic engine was never designed.

   1947 January and February, O. S. Nock, “"The Aberdonian" in Wartime”, in Railway Magazine, pages 3, 5

   1. countableA type of coal, such as bituminous, anthracite, or lignite, and grades and varieties thereof, as a fuel commodity ready to buy and burn.

      Put some coal on the fire.

      1 more example

      Order some coal from the coalyard.

2. countableA piece of coal used for burning (this use is less common in American English)

   Put some coals on the fire.

3. countableA glowing or charred piece of coal, wood, or other solid fuel.

   hot coals

   2 more examples

   glowing coals

   Just as the campfire died down to just coals, with no flames to burn the marshmallows, someone dumped a whole load of wood on, so I gave up and went to bed.

4. countableuncountableCharcoal.
5. InternetcountableuncountableContent of low quality.

   I'm so sick of seeing this coal online.

   Antonyms: gem

6. countableslanguncountablegovernmentBombs emitting black smoke on impact.
7. countableobsoleteslanguncountableMoney.First known use late 16th c. to early 20th c.

present singular third person coals · participle present coaling · participle past coaled · past coaled · alternative obsolete cole · alternative obsolete coale · alternative obsolete colle · alternative obsolete coole · alternative obsolete coell · alternative obsolete coile

1. intransitiveTo take on a supply of coal (usually of steam ships or locomotives).

   1863, Colonial Secretary to Commander Baldwin, USN shortly after that she coaled again at Simon's Bay; and that after remaining in the neighbourhood of our ports for a time, she proceeded to Mauritius, where she coaled again, and then returned to this colony.

   3 more examples

   Our next stopping-place was Newcastle, and here we coaled in earnest, for the steamer was flying light, and was loaded up in every available place.

   1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 131

   The light shook and splintered in the puddles. A red glare came from an outward-bound steamer that was coaling.

   1890, Oscar Wilde, chapter XVI, in The Picture of Dorian Gray

   N.W.R. four-cylinder 4-6-2 class "XS1," No. 761, coaling at Delhi junction. This class is the most powerful passenger engine in India.

   1949 November and December, Railway Magazine, page 371 (photo caption)

2. transitiveTo supply with coal.

   to coal a steamer

   3 more examples

   January 1917, National Geographic Magazine, Volume 31 Number 1, One Hundred British Seaports Cruisers may be coaled at sea and provided with ammunition openly. The submarine may not

   After working the 1.30 p.m. through train from Forres to Aberdeen as far as Elgin, she returns tender first with a local passenger train and is then coaled and watered at Forres shed, and eventually works back to Perth on the 10.20 p.m. through freight.

   1944 January and February, W. McGowan Gradon, “Forres as a Railway Centre”, in Railway Magazine, page 23

   The cleaner worked, of course, at nights. He had to coal and light up the engine, as well as clean it, for the next day's work, which commenced with a light run to Barnham to "bring in the goods" from that station at about 6.30 a.m.

   1952 February, J. Pelham Maitland, “Locomotive Working on Sussex Branches Fifty Years Ago”, in Railway Magazine, page 84

3. intransitiveTo be converted to charcoal.

   As a result, particles of wood and twigs insufficiently coaled are frequently found at the bottom of such pits.

   1957, H.R. Schubert, History of the British Iron and Steel Industry, page 18

   1 more example

   After the initial burn the goal of any good fire should be coaling; that is, creating a bed of solid coals that will sustain the fire.

   2014, Ken Mudge, Steve Gabriel, Farming the Woods

4. transitiveTo burn to charcoal; to char.

   Char-coal of roots, coaled into great pieces.

   1622, Francis Bacon, Natural History

5. transitiveTo mark or delineate with charcoal.

   […] marvailing, he coaled out these rithms upon the wall near to the picture

   1551, William Camden, Remains concerning Britain

rare superlative coalest · alternative obsolete cole · alternative obsolete coale · alternative obsolete colle · alternative obsolete coole · alternative obsolete coell · alternative obsolete coile

1. no comparativeBlack like coal; coal-black.

   Just entering the ballroom were a cat and a bird. The cat had black ears nestled in his coal hair and a purple mask over his violet eyes. He had a long ebony tail. 99 9.

   2011, C. C. W. Henderson, Blue Heron and Pizzazz, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 99

   5 more examples

   ... his coal hair / the corners of his warm smile / the blue of his gentle eyes. I wanted to explore him as Sir Francis Drake explored the New World. I wanted to tell my secrets to him as a Roman Catholic does in confession.

   2004, Terence Kingsley-Smith, Terry Kingsley-Smith, Thorp Green: A Tale of the Brontës

   His coal hair streaked through the gushing of freezing air and the base of the silk robe fluttered splendidly. The Lord of Blood, adorned with glossy armor and atop a stalwart steed, appeared to have the opulence of a king. White hills[…]

   2010, Rhett C. Bruno, Isinda: Fallen Dagger, Tate Publishing, →ISBN, page 126

   Nemesis walked out […], his coal hair slicked back followed by a few red highlighted fibers, and his eyes large. “Hey, what are you doing up here?” Nemesis asked, leaning his right elbow on the rail. Skullcrusher couldn't meet his eyes, he just stared off at[…]

   2017 September 27, Jordan Raggio, Finance & Felony, Xlibris Corporation, →ISBN

   He raked his fingers through his coal hair, sighing with frustration. He turned back to me. His fingers gently grazed my cheek." Look at me." At first, I resisted. I couldn't bear looking at his pity. After a moment, I slowly lifted my gaze to him.

   2023 May 31, Jo Wilde, The Angel Series Collection - Books 1-3, Next Chapter

   His coal hair was brushed up, revealing his nice skin even at his time of life. “Wait, are his eyes green?” Her fingers flew to her lips as she now recalled who he looks like. He resembled the man that she encountered in the parking lot[…]

   (Can we date this quote?), AraBella, The CEO's Rebellious Woman, Singapore New Reading Technology Pte Ltd

1. An unincorporated community in Henry County, Missouri, United States, named after early settler Stephen Coale.
2. An unincorporated community and coal town in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States.
3. Four townships in the United States, in Missouri, Ohio (2), and Pennsylvania, listed under Coal Township.