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

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

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

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

From The Three Mulla-mulgars by De la Mare, Walter

These, communicated to touchwood, were soon formed into a blaze.

From Sketches of Aboriginal Life American Tableaux, No. 1 by Vide, V. V.

They kindle fire, by striking together a piece of white or yellow pyrites and a flint-stone, over a piece of touchwood.

From Travels in North America, From Modern Writers With Remarks and Observations; Exhibiting a Connected View of the Geography and Present State of that Quarter of the Globe by Bingley, William