Anthraceniferous

/ˌænθrəsɪˈnɪfərəs/ adjective

Definition

Containing or yielding anthracene, especially describing coal tar or other materials from which anthracene is extracted.

Etymology

From 'anthracene' and Latin '-ferous' (bearing or producing), literally 'anthracene-bearing,' describing materials that contain this chemical.

Kelly Says

Coal tar was a waste product from making gas lamps in the 1800s, but chemists discovered it was anthraceniferous—meaning it was packed with useful chemicals—and suddenly factories had gold mines in their garbage!

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