portfire

noun

: a fuze or match for firing guns or fireworks: such as
a
: a paper case filled with a composition of niter, sulfur, and mealed powder
b
: a slow-burning fuze (as a billet of wood impregnated with potassium nitrate) or an incendiary cord or tube for igniting fuzes of blasting charges

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of French porte-feu from porter to carry + feu fire

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Dictionary Entries Near portfire

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Cite this Entry

“Portfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/portfire. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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