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

Pieces of artillery stood at the gates, guarded by bombardiers, linstock in hand.

From The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 03 of 55 1569-1576 Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, as Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century by Blair, Emma Helen

This was applying the linstock to the priming with a vengeance.

From Jack in the Forecastle or, Incidents in the Early Life of Hawser Martingale by Sleeper, John Sherburne

Finally he tumbled forward onto the stonework, releasing his grasp on the handle of the lighted linstock.

From Caribbee by Hoover, Thomas

He himself had charge of the linstock, about which was wound several matches, consisting of lengths of twisted cotton wick steeped in lye.

From In Clive's Command A Story of the Fight for India by Strang, Herbert

It was the difference between a cannon lying quiet in its embrasure, and the same gun when touched by the linstock.

From The Monastery by Scott, Walter, Sir