linstock

American  

[lin-stok] / ˈlɪnˌstɒk /

noun

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

---

linstock British  

/ ˈlɪnˌstɒk /

noun

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

---

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

A few yards further off a coal fire is burning, at which the cannoneers are heating the ends of their long iron staves so as to use them as linstocks.

From Project Gutenberg

He grinned and reached for a burning linstock.

From Project Gutenberg

"It's to save linstocks, by making them touch off the pieces with their pipes," said Lawrence; "their powder always smells more of tobacco than sulphur."

From Project Gutenberg

There was much fear of that," said the master; "for my sailors had marked him at the linstock with no great love.

From Project Gutenberg

At the last moment one of the gunners ran back, linstock in hand, to give one more shot.

From Project Gutenberg