An"thra*cite (#), n. [L. anthracites a kind of bloodstone; fr. Gr. like coals, fr. , , coal or charcoal. Cf. Anthrax.]
A hard, compact variety of mineral coal, of high luster, differing from bituminous coal in containing little or no bitumen, in consequence of which it burns with a nearly non luminous flame. The purer specimens consist almost wholly of carbon. Also called glance coal and blind coal.
© Webster 1913.