linstock

Definitions

A pointed forked staff, shod with iron at the foot, to hold a lighted match for firing cannon.

historical

Equivalents

6 more languages

Catalàbotafoc

Italianobuttafuoco

日本語点火棒

Portuguêsbotafogo

Русскийпальник

Українськазапа́льник

Examples

“[…] now, sir, (as we were to ascend), their master gunner (a man of no mean⟳ skill and courage, you must think⟳,) confronts me with his linstock ready to give⟳ fire;”

“The offer⟳ likes not: and the nimble gunner / With linstock now the devilish cannon touches, [Alarum, and chambers go off] / And down goes all before them.”

“"[…] And now, our news are told, noble Crevecoeur, and what think⟳ you they resemble⟳?" "A mine full charged with gunpowder," answered Crevecoeur, "to which, I fear, it is my fate to bring⟳ the kindled linstock. Your news and mine are like⟳ flax and fire, which cannot meet⟳ without bursting into flame, or like⟳ certain chemical substances which cannot be mingled without an explosion."”

“The ship no sooner crossed the schooner's bows than a Malay ran forward⟳ with a linstock. Pop went the colonel's ready carbine, and the Malay fell over dead, and the linstock flew out of his hand.”

“The great guns ranged along the deck — each bound fast by its new breechings — with their linstocks and sponges and ladles and rammers, made no idle show⟳ of warlike strength.”

“For further quotations, see⟳ lintstock.”

CEFR level