Greek fire
|
noun
an incendiary mixture of unknown composition, used in warfare in medieval times by Byzantine Greeks.
any of a group of inflammable mixtures; wildfire.
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Origin of Greek fire
First recorded in 1820–30
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for greek fire
Greek-fire was the precursor of gunpowder; it was the oleum incendiarum of the Romans.
The Browning Cyclopdia|Edward Berdoe
Greek fire
noun
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
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