Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
- Pages
- 1,538
- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Fire'-ball, n. p. 514(Mil.) 1. A ball filled with powder or other combustibles, intended to be thrown among enemies, and to injure by explosion; also to set fire to their works and light these up, so that movements may…Fire'-bal-lōon', n. p. 514A balloon raised in the air by the buoyancy of air heated by a fire placed in the lower part. 2. A balloon sent up at night with fire-works which ignite at a regulated height. Simmonds.Fire'-bāre, n. p. 514A beacon. [Obs.] Burritt.Fire'-bàr'rel, n. p. 514A hollow cylinder, filled with various kinds of combustibles, used in fire-ships, to convey the fire to the shrouds.Fire'-bārs, n. pl. p. 514The bars on which the fuel rests in the fire-box or furnace of a steam-engine.Fire'-băw'in, n. p. 514A bundle of brush-wood used in fire-ships.Fire'-blāst, n. p. 514A disease of plants and trees, in which they appear as if burnt by fire.Fire'-bōard, n. p. 514A chimney-board, used to close a fire-place in summer.Fire'-bōte, n. p. 514(Law.) An allowance of fuel, to which a tenant is entitled. [Eng.]Fire'-bŏx, n. p. 514The chamber of a steam-boiler in which the fire is placed. In a locomotive it is often of copper, surrounded by an iron case, leaving an intervening space for water. [See Illust. of Boiler.]Fire'-brānd, n. p. 514A piece of wood kindled or on fire. 2. One who inflames factions, or causes contention and mischief; an incendiary. Bacon.Fire'-brick, n. p. 514A brick capable of sustaining intense heat without fusion, usually made of fire-clay.Fire'-bridge, n. p. 514A partition in furnaces over which the flame, &c., passes to the flues.Fire'-brīēf, n. p. 514A circular letter desiring help for sufferers by fire. Cartwright.Fire'-brĭ-gāde', n. p. 514An organized and trained body of firemen, especially a corps in London, composed of men who are paid by fire insurance offices.Fire'-brūsh, n. p. 514A brush used to sweep the hearth.Fire'-bŭck'et, n. p. 514A bucket to convey water to engines for extinguishing fire.Fire'-clay, n. p. 514A kind of clay, chiefly pure silicate of alumina, capable of sustaining intense heat, and hence used in making fire-bricks.Fire'-cŏck, n. p. 514A cock or spout to let out water for extinguishing fire.Fire'-cōm'pa-ny, n. p. 514A company of men for managing an engine to extinguish fires.Fire'-crăck'er, n. p. 514A small paper cylinder, charged with a preparation of gunpowder, and furnished with a short fuse, which, being lighted, explodes with a loud report. Fire-crackers were originally imported from China…Fire'-crōss, n. p. 514A cross constructed of two fire-brands, and pitched upon the point of a spear, formerly used in Scotland as a signal to take up arms. To blow a trumpet, and proclaim a fire-cross to an hereditary . .…Fire'-dămp, n. p. 514The explosive carbureted hydrogen of coal-mines. See DAMP. Ure.Fire'-dŏg, n. p. 514A support for wood in a fire-place; an andiron.Fire'-drake, n. p. 514A fiery dragon. Beau. & Fl. 2. A fiery meteor; an ignis fatuus; a rocket. 3. A worker at a furnace or fire. B. Jonson.Fire'-eat'er, n. p. 514One who pretends to eat fire; hence, a fighting character; a hotspur.Fire'-ên/gine, n. p. 514An hydraulic or forcing pump for throwing water to extinguish fires.Fīre'-es-cāpe', n. p. 514A machine for escaping from the upper part of a building when on fire.Fire'-fānged, a. p. 514Dried up;—said of manure or compost when it assumes a baked appearance and ashy color from the heat generated by decomposition.Fire'-fāng'ing, n. p. 514State of being fire-fanged.Fīre'-flāire, n. p. 514(Ichth.) A fish of the ray kind, and of the genus Trygon (T. pastinaca); the trygon; sting-ray. Baird.Fire'-fly, n. p. 514(Entom.) A winged, luminous insect, as the Elater noctilucus, of South America, which emits a brilliant light from a yellow spot on each side of the thorax, and from other parts of the body; also…Fire'-guārd, n. p. 514A framework of iron wire, to be placed in front of a fire-place; a fender.Fire'-hōōk, n. p. 514A large hook for pulling down buildings in conflagrations.Fire'-in-sūr'ance, n. p. 514An indemnity against loss by fire, obtained by payment of a premium or small percentage — usually made periodically — to an insurance company. Simmonds.Fire'-ī/rons, n. pl. p. 514Utensils for a fire-place or grate, as tongs, poker, and shovel.Fire'-kiln, n. p. 514An oven or place for heating any thing. Simmonds.Fire'-less, a. p. 514Destitute of fireFire'-lock, n. p. 514A gun-lock, which is discharged by striking fire with flint and steel; hence, a musket furnished with such a lock.Fire'-man, n. p. 514A man whose business is to extinguish fires in towns; a member of a fire-company. 2. A man who tends the fires, as of a steam-engine.Fire'-mas'ter, n. p. 514An officer of artillery, who superintends the composition of fire-works. [Rare.]Fire'-new, a. p. 514Fresh from the forge; bright; quite new. Your fire-new stamp of honor is scarce current. Shak.Fire'-ŏf/fice, n. p. 514An office for making insurance against fire.Fire'-păn, n. p. 514A pan for holding or conveying fire; especially, the receptacle for the priming in a gun.Fire'-place, n. p. 514The part of a chimney appropriated to the fire; a hearth.Fire'-plug, n. p. 514A plug for drawing water from a pipe to extinguish fire.Fire'-pŏl/i-cy, n. p. 514The writing or instrument by which insurers engage to pay the insured for a loss sustained by fire. Simmonds.Fire'-pŏt, n. p. 514(Mil.) A small earthen pot filled with combustibles, used as a missile in war. 2. The part of a furnace in which the fire is made.Fire'-proof, a. p. 514Proof against fire; incombustible.Fire'-proof'ing, n. p. 514The act or process of rendering fire-proof. 2. Materials for rendering any thing fire-proof.Fir'er, n. p. 514One who sets fire to any thing; an incendiary.Fire'-screen, n. p. 514A movable screen to intercept the light or heat of the fire; a fire-guard. Clarke. 2. (Naut.) A screen of baize or flannel placed in the passage way from the powder magazine whenever this is opened.…Fire'-sĕt, n. p. 514A set of fire-irons, including, commonly, tongs, shovel, and poker. Simmonds.Fire'-ship, n. p. 514A vessel filled with combustibles, and furnished with grappling-irons, to hook and set fire to an enemy's ships.Fire'-shōv'el, n. p. 514A shovel or instrument for taking up or removing coals of fire.Fire'-side, n. p. 514A place near the fire or hearth; home; domestic life or retirement.Fire'-steel, n. p. 514A steel used with a flint for striking fire.Fire'-stick, n. p. 514A lighted stick or brand. Digby.Fire'-stōne, n. p. 514Iron pyrites. [Obs.] 2. A kind of sandstone which bears a high degree of heat.Fire'-sûr'face, n. p. 514See HEATING-SURFACE.