Anthr

Anthr is a combining form used in scientific terminology to denote a relation to coal or carbon, and it is not a standalone English word. The form derives from the Greek word anthrakos, meaning coal or charcoal, and it entered English through Latinized forms such as anthrac- in chemical and geological terms.

In usage, anthr- appears most commonly in words related to coal, carbon, or coal-derived substances. Notable examples include anthracite, a hard, high-carbon coal prized for its energy content and clean-burning properties; and anthracene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon used in dyes and organic synthesis. The adjective anthracitic describes things related to or resembling anthracite coal, such as a dark, coal-like appearance.

The root is primarily encountered in technical vocabulary within geology, chemistry, and material science. It should not be confused with the similarly-spelled prefix anthro-, which comes from a different Greek root meaning human. While both forms appear in many scientific terms, their meanings and etymologies diverge: anthr- signals coal-related context, whereas anthrop- signals human-related context.

In reference works, anthr- is treated as a morpheme rather than a standalone term, listed alongside other combining forms used to build compound words. Related terms include anthracite, anthracene, and anthraquinone, all of which trace their naming to the coal/charcoal origin of the root.