touch paper

noun

paper saturated with potassium nitrate to make it burn slowly, used for igniting explosives and fireworks.

Origin of touch paper

1740-1750

First recorded in 1740-50

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.
Cite This Source

Examples from the Web for touch paper

Historical Examples

It was held there, for a minute, while the mate struck a light and applied it to the touch paper.

For Name and Fame G. A. Henty
Light the touch paper; the fire will communicate to the side holes, and set it in rotation.

The Pyrotechnist's Treasury Thomas Kentish
But little did they think that never again was the woman who so loved them to touch paper or pen.

Two Royal Foes Eva Madden

What Is the Difference Between Discreet and Discrete?
Learn the correct uses of these two commonly confused homophones.
What Character Was Removed from the Alphabet?
What mistaken pronunciation gave this character its name?
Apostrophes 101
This small mark has two primary uses: to signify possession or omitted letters.
How Do I Get a Word into the Dictionary?
People invent new words all the time, but which ones actually make it?

Few English speakers likely know this word

Scrabble Words With Friends

Heartbreak