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

Its wooden tenements had caught, and blazed like touchwood.

From The Maid of Honour (Vol. 3 of 3) A Tale of the Dark Days of France by Lewis Wingfield

The touchwood and the lantern are hidden beneath the faggots in the cellar.

From The Fifth of November A Romance of the Stuarts by Charles S. Bentley

Circling her waist she wore a girdle of touchwood, and attached to it a great skin pouch, in which she kept the charms which she used when she was practising her sorcery.

From The True Story Book by Andrew Lang