Main Entry:

lig·nite

Pronunciation:

\ˈlig-ˌnīt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French, from Latin lignum

Date:

circa 1808

: a usually brownish black coal intermediate between peat and bituminous coal ; especially : one in which the texture of the original wood is distinct —called also brown coal

— lig·nit·ic \lig-ˈni-tik\ adjective