ˈchärˌkōl, -ȧˌk- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English charcole, perhaps from Middle French charbon charcoal + Middle English cole coal — more at charbon , coal
1. : a dark-colored or black porous form of carbon made from vegetable or animal substances (as from wood by charring in a kiln or retort from which air is excluded) and used for fuel and in various mechanical, artistic, and chemical processes
2.
a. : a piece or pencil of fine charcoal used as a drawing implement
b. : a charcoal drawing
3. : a dark purplish gray that is bluer and duller than slate, pigeon, taupe gray, or dusk (sense 3b)