Ma-driēr', or Mād'ri-er, n.

noun

n. [Fr., Sp. madero, Pg. madeiro, from Sp. madera, Pg. & Pr. madeira, wood for building, timber, from Lat. materia, stuff, materials, timber.] A thick plank, used for several mechanical purposes; especially, to receive the mouth of a petard, with which it is applied to any thing intended to be broken down; a plank used for supporting the earth in mines.

M, madrier. P, petard.

A bell-shaped petard with a handle and side fittings. — P, petard.

A thick rectangular wooden block with a large circular opening and small fittings. — M, madrier.