egg coal

noun

1. anthracite in sizes ranging from 2.44 to 3.25 inches (6.2 to 8.3 centimeters), intermediate between broken coal and stove coal.
2. bituminous coal in sizes ranging from 1.5 to 4 inches (4 to 10 centimeters).

Word History and Origins

Origin of egg coal¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

Presently, instead of a furnace full of fire, I had a furnace full of egg coal.

From Project Gutenberg

My gifts do not run to the care of a horse and an egg-coal fire.

From Project Gutenberg