Definitions
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. A flint used with a steel for striking fire.
- n. Iron pyrites: so called because it strikes fire with steel. See pyrites.
- n. A stone which resists the action of fire; especially, a kind of sandstone used in fireplaces: same as malmrock.
- n. An incendiary composition employed to set fire to ships, buildings, etc. It is made of niter, sulphur, antimony, and rosin, mixed with melted tallow and turpentine. The melted mixture is cast in paper molds and primed with a fuse. For use it is charged in shell together with a bursting-charge.
Examples
“In the shadows beneath the balcony a ghostly light began to glow and grow, a light that was not part of the fire-stone gleam.”
“The inhabitants of the villages at a distance from the Spaniards, have knives made of fire-stone, (_pierre de feu_,) of which they also make hatchets; the largest to fell middling and little trees with; the less, to flay and cut up the beasts they kill.”
History of Louisisana Or of the Western Parts of Virginia and Carolina: Containing
“It was from this use that the sulphuret of iron derived the name of pyrites, or fire-stone.”
The International Monthly Magazine, Volume 5, No. 1, January, 1852
“This opening provided draught for the fire, and at the back, from the fire-stone, an opening had been left, and here to several feet above the top of the stove, a length of stove-pipe carried all smoke out and above the heads of the scouts.”
“Now we have water, earth, and chalk with its fire-stone.”
“The outside chimney was, however, as far beyond the stick-and-clay stacks of the cabin, as our fire-stone flues are now beyond it.”
“Probably the association of ideas was not with the flint as a fire-stone, though the fact that a piece of flint struck with a nodule of pyrites will emit a spark was not unknown.”
American Hero-Myths A Study in the Native Religions of the Western Continent
“Orundelico also shows them the Fuegian mode of fire-kindling, the first sparks being obtained from the _cathow_, or fire-stone, [Note 4], two pieces of which every Fuegian carries about him, as a habitual smoker does his flint and steel or box of matches.”
“Where an opportunity occurs of altering a fireplace, its capability for diffusing radiant heat will be greatly increased by making the back and sides of fire-brick or fire-stone; as these substances retain heat much longer than any kind of metal, and are consequently more likely to prevent the fire from being chilled by the addition of fresh coal.”
The Lady's Country Companion: or, How to Enjoy a Country Life Rationally
“Dean are pig-iron, coal, fire-bricks and clay, fire-stone and fire-sand, and cordwood for conversion into charcoal.”
Lists
‘fire-stone’ hasn't been added to any lists yet.
Tweets
Looking for tweets for fire-stone.
Comments
No comments yet...
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.