Advertisement
Advertisement
touch paper
noun
- paper saturated with potassium nitrate to make it burn slowly, used for igniting explosives and fireworks.
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of touch paper1
Discover More
Example Sentences
It is not necessary,” Hawking and Mlodinow write, “to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going.
William made some touch-paper, which he lighted with one of the glasses from the telescope, and they soon had a good fire.
Thus, if the ashes of a cigar be well rubbed into a bit of paper, they convert it into touch-paper.
So will gunpowder, for out of four parts of it, three are saltpetre; damaged gunpowder may be used for making touch-paper.
It was held there, for a minute, while the mate struck a light and applied it to the touch paper.
I don't know as a regular fuse would do, as it might go out for want of air; but there would be plenty to keep touch paper alight.
Advertisement
Word of the Day
[tawr-choo-uhs ]
Meaning and examplesStart each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!
By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse