Cannels

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. Thin, parallel grooves or channels cut into a material or surface, often used for decoration or to aid in gripping; a term also referring to narrow tunnels or passages in geological or biological contexts; alternatively, a variety of bituminous coal distinguished by its shiny appearance and conchoidal fracture
2. Shallow linear indentations shaped into objects to create texture or facilitate handling; elongated openings or conduits found naturally or made artificially in various substances; a type of coal notable for its lustrous surface and commonly used as fuel in specific applications
3. Narrow recessed lines inscribed on surfaces to enhance design or function; small tubular cavities occurring in natural formations or organisms; a specific coal form characterized by its bright, glossy finish and layered structure used historically in heating or industry

Etymology: "Cannels" is the plural of "cannel," the name for a dull-black, lustrous coal that burns with a bright flame. The noun's history is a story of a word being worn down by use. The coal was once called "candle coal," because it was burned in place of tallow or wax candles, and the name was gradually shortened to "cannel" through a corruption in pronunciation. The verb and the other senses, such as the shallow grooves cut into an object or the channels and conduits found in natural materials, are all plural forms of the same noun, sharing the same spelling. The first sense, the decorative or functional grooves, is the form most readers will meet in everyday use. Here the plural simply names several of these linear marks at once.

Synonyms: channels, grooves, furrows

Antonyms: ridges, rises