【化】 煤精

Amber \Am"ber\ ([a^]m"b[~e]r), n. [OE. aumbre, F. ambre, Sp.
['a]mbar, and with the Ar. article, al['a]mbar, fr. Ar.
'anbar ambergris.]
1. (Min.) A yellowish translucent resin resembling copal,
found as a fossil in alluvial soils, with beds of lignite,
or on the seashore in many places. It takes a fine polish,
and is used for pipe mouthpieces, beads, etc., and as a
basis for a fine varnish. By friction, it becomes strongly
electric.

Note: Amber is classified as a fossil resin, being typically
of ancient origin, having solidified from the exudates
of certain trees millions of years ago. Many pieces are
found with insects embedded, the insects having been
trapped by the resin while they were alive. The insects
are often very well preserved, due to the antimicrobial
action of components of the amber. It typically
contains from 5 to 8 percent of succinic acid. "Baltic
amber" has been mined for centuries in the region of
Poland formerly called East Prussia, and is the variety
used in most jewelry made in Poland and Russia. The
Baltic strata containing amber extend under the sea,
and amber beads may be found there deposited by waves
along the shore. Amber was known to the ancient Greeks.
The name "electron" comes from the Latin word for
amber, electrum, derived from the Greek word,
'h`lektron (see {electric}), due to the electric charge
that amber takes when rubbed, as with cat fur. Although
at one time used in fine varnishes, it no longer has
any commercial value for that purpose, being used
mostly in jewelry. Significant deposits are also found
in the Carribean region, and smaller amounts in various
other places. The notion, that DNA sufficiently intact
to recreate extinct animals might be extracted from
amber, was the basis for Michael Crichton's novel
"Jurassic Park", but has as yet (1997) not been
demonstrated to be possible.
[PJC]

2. Amber color, or anything amber-colored; a clear light
yellow; as, the amber of the sky.

3. Ambergris. [Obs.]

You that smell of amber at my charge. --Beau. & Fl.

4. The balsam, liquidambar.

{Black amber}, and old and popular name for jet.

Jet \Jet\, n. [OF. jet, jayet, F. ja["i]et, jais, L. gagates,
fr. Gr. ?; -- so called from ? or ?, a town and river in
Lycia.] [written also {jeat}, {jayet}.] (Min.)
A variety of lignite, of a very compact texture and velvet
black color, susceptible of a good polish, and often wrought
into mourning jewelry, toys, buttons, etc. Formerly called
also {black amber}.

{Jet ant} (Zo["o]l.), a blackish European ant ({Formica
fuliginosa}), which builds its nest of a paperlike
material in the trunks of trees.