1. Plural of anthracite; a hard, dense coal that burns with little flame and smoke, producing intense heat.
Usage: Countable noun; typically used in plural when referring to multiple pieces or deposits; Common in industrial and domestic heating contexts

Examples

• Anthracites were mined extensively in Pennsylvania during the 19th century.
• The furnace burns anthracites because they produce more heat than softer coals.
• Anthracites have a carbon content of over 86 percent.
• Many old homes in the Northeast were heated with anthracites.
• The quality of anthracites makes them ideal for industrial applications.
• Deposits of anthracites are found in limited regions worldwide.