Peat

[For beat; AS. betan, to make better, to mend (a fire). Same root as better.] A vegetable Pen'dulum. substance found amidst much moisture, as in marshes and mora es, and made up of roots, stems, and fibres in every stage of decomposition. When cut and dried it is often used for fuel in many places where wood and coal are scarce. The use of peat as fuel in the distillation of Scotch whiskey gives it its peculiar flavor. Char¬ coal made from compre ed peat is superior to wood charcoal, and is capable of being used for smelting iron.