coal
UK: kəʊl | US: koʊl
n. a combustible black or dark-brown rock consisting mainly of carbonized plant matter, used as fuel
n. (archaic) a piece of glowing or charred wood; ember
The word "coal" traces back to Old English col, meaning "charcoal, live ember," derived from Proto-Germanic kula (source also of Old Norse kol, Dutch kool, German Kohle). Its deeper roots lie in Proto-Indo-European g(e)u-lo- "live coal," linked to the idea of burning or glowing. Unlike many modern English words, "coal" retains its compact Germanic structure without separable prefixes or suffixes, reflecting its ancient origin as a core term for a natural substance.
The steam engine revolutionized industry by harnessing the power of coal.
Miners risked their lives extracting coal from narrow underground tunnels.
She tossed another lump of coal into the furnace to keep the house warm.
The artist used powdered coal to create striking monochrome sketches.
Environmentalists advocate phasing out coal to reduce carbon emissions.