touchwood

American  

[tuhch-wood] / ˈtʌtʃˌwʊd /

noun

1. wood converted into an easily ignitible substance by the action of certain fungi, and used as tinder; punk.

2. Mycology. amadou.

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touchwood British  

/ ˈtʌtʃˌwʊd /

noun

1. something, esp dry wood or fungus material such as amadou, used as tinder

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Etymology

Origin of touchwood

First recorded in 1570–80; touch + wood ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

touchwood

Glaring at me, he rushed to the cannon, knocking it askew in his haste, and thrust the touchwood against the fuse.

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood

As he lifted his smouldering stick of touchwood and blew on it, he caught sight of me for the first time.

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood

Nod, too, lay down, ruffled with fire, burning like touchwood, amid the enchanted flowers.

From The Three Mulla-mulgars by Walter De la Mare

If any one is about to die suddenly, or to lose a relation, he will light upon touchwood, or a rotten bough, and “cuckoo.”

From Rambles in an Old City comprising antiquarian, historical, biographical and political associations by S. S. Madders

I drew out my lens and touchwood, but alas! there was no sun.

From Thirty-Seven Days of Peril from Scribner's Monthly Vol III Nov. 1871 by Truman Everts