Min. [ad. L. ampelītis, a. Gr. ἀμπελῖτις of the vine (f. ἄμπελ-ος vine; see -ITE), in ἀμπελῖτις γῆ an earth sprinkled on the vine to destroy insects.] A bituminous earth; perhaps cannel coal.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., Ampelites, cannal coal, in natural history, a black, bituminous substance that dissolves in oil.
1852. T. Ross, Humboldt’s Trav., I. xv. 490. The talcose slate contains small layers of soft and unctuous graphic ampelite.
