safety match

American  

noun

1. a match designed to ignite only when rubbed on a specially prepared surface.

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safety match British  

noun

1. a match that will light only when struck against a specially prepared surface

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Etymology

Origin of safety match

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

safety match

She struck a safety match, and flames roared 20 feet into the air, until only her two out stretched hands were visible.

From Time Magazine Archive

He lingered for a moment behind the protection of that angle of rock wall, struck a safety match, and held the tiny flame down close against the face of his pocket compass.

From Beth Norvell A Romance of the West by Parrish, Randall

To-day the safety match, certain and odorless, is sold at one-tenth of this price.

From Inventors by Hubert, Philip Gengembre

The outside cover of a small safety match box is given to the first man on each team.

From School, Church, and Home Games by Draper, George Orrin

He struck a safety match and held it to the leg of the table.

From Nonsense Novels by Leacock, Stephen