Greek fire
an incendiary mixture of unknown composition, used in warfare in medieval times by Byzantine Greeks.
any of a group of inflammable mixtures; wildfire.
Origin of Greek fire
1Words Nearby Greek fire
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use Greek fire in a sentence
Greek-fire was the precursor of gunpowder; it was the oleum incendiarum of the Romans.
The Browning Cyclopdia | Edward BerdoeIn consequence of the news he burns like Greek fire, under all the wets and waters of this health-and-harvest destroying weather.
Letters of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Vol. I (of 2) | Samuel Taylor Coleridge
British Dictionary definitions for Greek fire
a Byzantine weapon employed in naval warfare from 670 ad. It consisted of an unknown mixture that, when wetted, exploded and was projected, burning, from tubes
any of several other inflammable mixtures used in warfare up to the 19th century
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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