blowpipe

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A metal tube in which a flow of gas is mixed with a controlled flow of air to concentrate the heat of a flame, used especially in the identification of minerals.
2. n. See blowgun.
3. n. A long, narrow iron pipe used to gather, work, and blow molten glass.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. An instrument by which a current of air or gas is driven through the flame of a lamp, candle, or gas-jet, to direct the flame upon a substance, in order to fuse it, an intense heat being created by the rapid supply of oxygen and the concentration of the flame upon a small area. In its simplest form, as used, for example, by gas-fitters, it is merely a conical tube of brass, glass, or other substance, usually about 7 inches long, ¾ inch in diameter at one end, and tapering so as to have a very small aperture at the other, within 2 inches or so of which it is bent nearly at a right angle. The blowpipe of the mineralogist is provided with a small chamber near the jet, in which the moisture from the mouth collects. The current of air is often formed by a pair of bellows instead of the human breath, the instrument being fixed in a proper frame for the purpose. The most powerful blowpipe is the oxyhydrogen or compound blowpipe, an instrument in which oxygen and hydrogen (in the proportions necessary for their combination), propelled by hydrostatic or other pressure, and coming from separate reservoirs, are made to form a united current in a capillary orifice at the moment when they are kindled. The heat produced is such as to consume the diamond and to fuse or vaporize many substances refractory at lower temperatures. The blowpipe is used by goldsmiths and jewelers in soldering, by glass-blowers in softening and shaping glass, and extensively by chemists and mineralogists in testing the nature and composition of substances. Also called by workmen a blowing-iron.
2. n. Same as blow-gun.
3. Relating in any way to a blowpipe, or to blowpiping: as, blowpipe analysis.
4. To use the blowpipe; conduct chemical experiments or perform mechanical operations by means of the blowpipe.
5. n. A blast-pipe or blower-pipe; hence the steam-pipe for a steam-blast.

Wiktionary

1. n. chemistry a narrow tube through which a jet of air is directed onto a flame; used in the analysis of minerals etc and in jewelry manufacture
2. n. a weapon through which darts may be shot by blowing; a blowgun
3. n. glassblowing a long narrow pipe, rotated in the hands, upon which glassware is blown

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A tube for directing a jet of air into a fire or into the flame of a lamp or candle, so as to concentrate the heat on some object.
2. n. A blowgun; a blowtube.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a tube that directs air or gas into a flame to concentrate heat
2. n. a tube through which darts can be shot by blowing