COAL


Meaning of COAL in English

/ kəʊl; NAmE koʊl/ noun

1.

[ U ] a hard black mineral that is found below the ground and burnt to produce heat :

I put more coal on the fire.

a lump of coal

a coal fire

a coal mine

the coal industry

—picture at fireplace

2.

[ C ] a piece of coal, especially one that is burning :

A hot coal fell out of the fire and burnt the carpet.

IDIOMS

- carry, take, etc. coals to Newcastle

—more at haul verb , rake verb

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WORD ORIGIN

Old English col (in the senses glowing ember and charred remnant ), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch kool and German Kohle . The sense combustible mineral used as fuel dates from Middle English .

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.