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lignite
(lig′nīt′)
noun
a usually soft, brownish-black coal in which the texture of the original wood can often still be seen: in the process of coalification it represents the intermediate stage in density and amount of carbon between peat and bituminous coal
Origin: Fr: see ligneous & -ite
Related Forms:
- lignitic adjective
See lignite in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A soft, brownish-black coal in which the alteration of vegetable matter has proceeded further than in peat but not as far as in bituminous coal. Also called brown coal.
Related Forms:
- lig·nitˈic (-nĭtˈĭk) adjective
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