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Synonyms

flintlock

American  
[flint-lok] / ˈflɪntˌlɒk /

noun

  1. an outmoded gunlock in which a piece of flint striking against steel produces sparks that ignite the priming.

  2. a firearm with such a lock.


flintlock British  
/ ˈflɪntˌlɒk /

noun

  1. an obsolete gunlock in which the charge is ignited by a spark produced by a flint in the hammer

  2. a firearm having such a lock

"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

Etymology

Origin of flintlock

First recorded in 1675–85; flint + lock 1

Vocabulary lists containing flintlock

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The new technology had a relatively brief lifespan and, like the matchlock, was ultimately replaced by the more reliable flintlock.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 19, 2026

We were also dealing with old flintlock pistols, though.

From Salon Aug. 4, 2024

The rules were geared more for semiautomatic pistols than flintlock weapons, but re-enactors who fear being arrested if they publicly re-stage battles from the colonial era to the Civil War are staying off the field.

From Seattle Times Sep. 28, 2022

An Egyptian limestone statue, dating to 2400 BC, sold for £6 million; while a pair of Napoleonic flintlock pistols fetched £976,000.

From BBC Jul. 8, 2022

And in his left hand each carried a tall flintlock gun.

From "The Fighting Ground" by Avi

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