(Also as two words.) [Cf. Ger. steinkohle, Du. steenkool.]
† 1. Mineral coal, as distinguished from charcoal: = COAL sb. 5. Obs.
1585. Higins, Junius’ Nomencl., 377/2. Seacole: Smithes cole: stone cole.
1602. R. Carew, Cornwall, I. 21. Stone cole, fetched out of Wales.
1673. H. Stubbe, Further Vind. Dutch War, App. 126. To digg for any Quarry of Stone, or Mine for Oare, or Stone-coles.
1741. Phil. Trans., XLI. 672. This Bishoprick (Liege) has rich Mines of Houille or Stone-coal.
2. Any hard variety of coal, esp. anthracite.
1708. J. C., Compl. Collier (1845), 19. The Stone-Coal is so called because it has a sort of Stone, which is in the Bed or Vein of Coal.
1712. Phil. Trans., XXVII. 541. A Coal like Cannal-Coal, by the Miners called Stone-Coal.
1823. W. Phillips, Min. (ed. 3), 366. Slaty Anthracite … is found in the coal-formation near Walsal in Staffordshire (Stone Coal).
1877. Raymond, Statist. Mines & Mining, 237. Lignite, shale, stone-coal, and fire-clay.
1883. Gresley, Gloss. Coal-mining, 242. Stone coal, anthracite,… Also certain other very hard varieties of coal.
