recoal
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).
- (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.)
"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.)
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.)
- 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).
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.)
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.)