touchhole

American  

[tuhch-hohl] / ˈtʌtʃˌhoʊl /

noun

1. the vent in the breech of an early firearm or cannon through which the charge was ignited.

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touchhole British  

/ ˈtʌtʃˌhəʊl /

noun

1. a hole in the breech of early cannon and firearms through which the charge was ignited

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Etymology

Origin of touchhole

First recorded in 1495–1505; touch + hole

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

touchhole

Orders were given that every man was to "throw the priming out of his pan, pick his touchhole, prime anew, examine bullets and see that everything was in readiness for battle."

From Pioneers of the Old Southwest: a chronicle of the dark and bloody ground by Constance Lindsay Skinner

The first charge was twenty pounds of powder, not more than nineteen of them running out of the touchhole.

From The Orpheus C. Kerr Papers. Series 3 by Robert H. Newell

It was loaded to the muzzle; but just as the pilot was about to apply a red-hot coal to the touchhole, Mr. Fogg said, "Hoist your flag!"

From Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

I watched carefully till I saw the Spanish gunner apply a match to the touchhole, and then I, too, gave the word 'Fire.'

From The Elson Readers, Book 5 by William H. Elson

It was loaded to the muzzle, but just as the pilot was about to apply a red-hot coal to the touchhole, Mr. Fogg said, "Hoist your flag!"

From Around the World in 80 Days Junior Edition by Jules Verne