Coal
/koʊl/noun
A black or dark brown combustible rock formed from ancient plant matter, used as a fuel.
Did you know?The English word coal is tied to an old Germanic word for something black or glowing, not to any mystical or occult term, though its deep association with fire helped make it a powerful symbol in ritual and industry alike.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰel-
“to shine; to be bright or greenish-yellow”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*kōlą
“charcoal, glowing ember”
Old English
English
col
“coal, charcoal, ember”
Middle English
English
cole
“coal; charcoal”
Modern English
English
coal
“a black combustible mineral or rock used as fuel”