Coal Meaning
Coal Definition & Usage
A black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, primarily composed of carbon, that is used as a fuel.
Examples
- "The power plant burns coal to generate electricity."
- "He shoveled coal into the furnace to keep the house warm."
- "In the past, coal was a major source of energy during the industrial revolution."
- "The miners worked long hours extracting coal from the underground shafts."
- "They discovered an abandoned coal mine hidden in the hills."
A small, dark piece of something, often associated with dirt or grime, or a sign of something bad or negative.
Examples
- "She had a heart as black as coal, always scheming and never helping anyone."
- "His reputation was tarnished, and it was as if he'd been carrying around a coal in his pocket."
- "The family found it difficult to forgive him after the coal he had thrown on their reputation."
- "I felt a coal of bitterness rise in me when I heard the news."
- "He had to carry the coal of his misdeeds for many years."
A piece of coal, especially in the context of a metaphorical or figurative use, such as in the phrase 'a lump of coal'.
Examples
- "She had to deliver a lump of coal for Christmas, meaning bad news for everyone."
- "Instead of getting a gift, he received a lump of coal for his behavior."
- "On Christmas morning, all he found was a lump of coal in his stocking."
- "The idea of getting a lump of coal symbolizes the consequences of being naughty."
- "He earned his lump of coal by skipping class repeatedly."
Cultural Context
Coal has been a crucial resource in the history of energy production, particularly during the Industrial Revolution. In many cultures, the metaphorical use of coal to represent negativity or bad behavior has roots in Western folklore, where children who misbehave would receive coal as punishment during Christmas.
The Last Shipment of Coal
Story
The Last Shipment of Coal
It was the dead of winter, and the small village of Cargill had long relied on the coal mines for its warmth. Ever since the mines had closed, the people were left to fend for themselves, struggling against the biting cold that seemed to seep into their bones. Old man Harper was the last miner in the town, a rugged figure with weathered hands and a memory full of stories from the old days. He sat by the fire one evening, staring into the flickering flames as the wind howled outside. 'Once, this place was full of life,' he muttered to himself, his voice hoarse. 'Now, it's all just coal and dust.' His granddaughter, Emily, sat beside him, looking at the small lump of coal he had placed in the hearth. 'Grandpa, why do you keep that?' she asked. 'It's just a piece of coal.' 'It's more than that,' Harper said with a distant gaze. 'It’s a reminder of what we lost... and what we could still have. This coal was once a symbol of hope, of energy that powered our homes and our lives. Now, it’s just a memory.' Emily didn’t fully understand. She was young, too young to remember the days when the mines were active, when the village bustled with life. But as the fire crackled and the warmth filled the room, she felt something shift in the air. A sense of nostalgia, a sense of loss. As the night wore on, Harper fell asleep in his chair, the flickering flames casting shadows on his face. Emily, however, remained awake. She looked at the coal in the hearth, not as a symbol of loss, but as a symbol of resilience. Even in the darkest of times, the coal still burned bright, offering warmth and light in the midst of the coldest winter. The last shipment of coal might have arrived too late to save the town’s future, but it would forever be remembered as a reminder of what had once been—and what could rise from the ashes once more.
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