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

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 Elson, William H.

As soon as I discovered my mistake, I hurried back to our own position, in all the greater haste, because the touchhole of my rifle had got stopped.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 363, January, 1846 by Various

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 Newell, Robert H.

The match, no longer applied by the hand to the touchhole, was fixed into a cock, which was brought down to the pan by the motion of the trigger.

From Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2 by Roby, John

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 Verne, Jules