1. A hard, brittle, black or dark brown bituminous mineral or asphalt-like substance found in certain rock formations, used historically as a fuel and in the production of illuminating oil.
Usage: geology; historical; plural form of albertite

Examples

• Albertites were mined in Nova Scotia during the 19th century for use as fuel.
• The dark deposits of albertites in the rock formation indicated ancient organic material.
• Geologists studied the albertites to understand the region's geological history.
• Before petroleum became dominant, albertites were processed to produce lamp oil.
• The hardness and brittleness of albertites made them distinct from other bituminous materials.