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

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near portfire

Cite this Entry

“Portfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/portfire. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!