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Jet

(Science: chemical) a variety of lignite, of a very compact texture and velvet black colour, susceptible of a good polish, and often wrought into mourning jewelry, toys, buttons, etc. Formerly called also black amber.

(Science: zoology) jet ant, a blackish European ant (formica fuliginosa), which builds its nest of a paperlike material in the trunks of trees.

Origin: OF. Jet, jayet, f. Jaiet, jais, L. Gagates, fr. Gr.; so called from or, a town and river in Lycia

alternative forms: jeat, jayet.