coal; inkstick (TCM)
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
coal (literary term for black gold)
literaryA poetic and literary term comparing coal to gold due to its black color and high value as an energy source. Commonly used in literature and formal writing about mining and energy.
Shanxi is rich in coal and is an important energy base for our country.
Much coal is buried underground, waiting for people to mine it.
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Coal is the food of industry and an important resource for national development.
noun
inkstick; soot used in traditional Chinese medicine
technicalIn traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this refers to ink or soot (specifically from pine soot or oil soot) used as a medicinal substance. It is believed to have hemostatic and detoxifying properties.
Inkstick as used in traditional Chinese medicine has hemostatic effects and is often used to treat various bleeding symptoms.
Ink is also a type of 'black gold' and was commonly used as a medicinal material in ancient prescriptions.