Definition

Verb (transitive and intransitive): recoal means to supply with coal again, or to take on a fresh supply of coal. It is primarily used in historical or technical contexts related to steamships, locomotives, or industrial furnaces.

• Transitive use: To provide (a ship, engine, or furnace) with a new load of coal.
• Intransitive use: To take on a new supply of coal (for oneself or one’s vessel).

Usage Examples

• (The ship needed to take on a fresh supply of coal.)
• (The workers supplied the engine with coal again.)
• (The ship took on a new load of coal.)

Advanced Usage

• "to recoal a furnace": to add coal to a furnace to maintain or restore its fire.

  • The stoker had to recoal the furnace every few hours to keep the steam pressure steady. (He added coal to maintain the fire.)

• "recoaling station": a port or facility where ships or trains could refill their coal bunkers.

  • Gibraltar was a major recoaling station for the British navy. (A place where coal was supplied.)

Variants and Related Words

• Recoaling (noun/verb): the act of supplying or taking on coal again.

  • The recoaling of the fleet took three days. (The process of refilling coal supplies.)

• Coal (noun): a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock used as fuel.

  • The ship's coal bunkers were nearly empty. (The fuel storage compartments.)

• Coaler (noun): a ship or person that transports or supplies coal.

  • The coaler arrived with 500 tons of anthracite. (The coal-carrying vessel.)

Synonyms

• Refuel: to supply with fresh fuel (general term, not specific to coal).
• Replenish: to fill up again (broader meaning, can apply to any resource).
• Bunker: (verb) to supply a ship with fuel (often used for coal or oil).

Phrasal Verbs

• Coal up: to take on a supply of coal (informal, historical).

  • The ship coaled up at the port before departure. (The vessel took on coal.)

• Load up with coal: to fill a storage area with coal.

  • They loaded up with coal for the long journey. (They filled the bunkers.)

Related Idioms

• Carry coals to Newcastle: to do something unnecessary or redundant (since Newcastle was a major coal-producing centre).

  • Bringing extra coal to the recoaling station is like carrying coals to Newcastle. (It is pointless.)

• Heap coals of fire on someone's head: to cause someone to feel shame by returning good for evil (biblical idiom, not directly related to recoaling but uses the word "coal").

  • By helping his rival recoal his ship, he heaped coals of fire on his head. (He showed kindness that shamed the other person.)