linstock

American  

[lin-stok] / ˈlɪnˌstɒk /

noun

1. a staff with one end forked to hold a match, formerly used in firing cannon.

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linstock British  

/ ˈlɪnˌstɒk /

noun

1. a long staff holding a lighted match, formerly used to fire a cannon

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Etymology

Origin of linstock

1565–75; earlier lyntstock < Dutch lontstock match-stick, with lint replacing lont by association with the material commonly used as tinder

Example Sentences

Shakspeare in Henry V. says: "And the nimble gunner With linstock now the devilish cannon touches, And down goes all before them."

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

It contains engravings showing the mode of pike exercise and the method of drill adopted for the management of the musket with rest and linstock as then used.

From Chronicles of Strathearn by Macdougall, W. B.

But as the first line of men broke into the courtyard, Brian fired the remaining three cannon as fast as he could touch linstock to powder.

From Nuala O'Malley by Bedford-Jones, H.

In vain the men tugged and strained at their oars while the gunner worked like a maniac to relight his linstock and to replace his priming.

From The Refugees by Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir

His eye travelled along the tube;—the magician Botello stood on the broken wall at its side, and the linstock he held in his hand was descending to the vent.

From Calavar or The Knight of The Conquest, A Romance of Mexico by Bird, Robert Montgomery