portfire

British  

/ ˈpɔːtˌfaɪə /

noun

1. (formerly) a slow-burning fuse used for firing rockets and fireworks and, in mining, for igniting explosives

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Etymology

Origin of portfire

C17: from French porte-feu, from porter to carry + feu fire

Example Sentences

There were rockets, and portfire, and a huge bonfire, while the President was serenaded.

From The Lincoln Story Book A Judicious Collection of the Best Stories and Anecdotes of the Great President, Many Appearing Here for the First Time in Book Form by Williams, Henry Llewellyn

Hough dropped the first in his shirt, parried a blow from the second, turned and ran back, while old Penfold opened the lantern and brought the flame down to the portfire.

From The Plowshare and the Sword A Tale of Old Quebec by Trevena, John

Smith, fearing that Carmichael had failed, sprang forward, match-box in hand; but the portfire exploded just as he reached the gate, and he plunged into the ditch to escape the greater explosion.

From Barclay of the Guides by Strang, Herbert

Some were ignited by mechanical action and others by match or portfire.

From The 28th: A Record of War Service in the Australian Imperial Force, 1915-19, Vol. I Egypt, Gallipoli, Lemnos Island, Sinai Peninsula by Collett, Herbert Brayley

Their warning beams were not withdrawn from foreign vessels; no effort was made to establish the nationality of a ship in distress ere setting portfire to the signal-gun to call out the lifeboat.

From Merchantmen-at-arms : the British merchants' service in the war by Bone, David W. (David William)