a. As black as coal; dead black.

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a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 75. Þin(e) eȝen beoþ colblake and brode.

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c. 1386.  Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 1284. A Beres skyn colblak [v.r. coleblak] for old.

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1590.  Spenser, F. Q., I. v. 20. Cole blacke steedes.

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1592.  Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 533. Coal-black clouds, that shadow heaven’s light.

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1635.  N. Carpenter, Geog. Del., II. iii. 48. The Land of Blackmores where the people are all coleblacke.

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1709.  Lett., in Hearne, Collect. (Oxf. Hist. Soc.), II. 305. His Coalblack hair was turned milk white of a night for ye greatness of his troubles.

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1812.  Byron, Ch. Har., I. lv. Her black eye that mocks her coal-black veil.

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