touchhole

[ tuhch-hohl ]

noun

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

touchhole

/ ˈtʌtʃˌhəʊl /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of touchhole¹

First recorded in 1495–1505; touch + hole

Example Sentences

Then he laid that match to the touchhole and another rain of iron swept down the street.

From Project Gutenberg

But the Emperor sent to the Landsknechte to inquire what they wanted, and they, holding their guns in the left hand, and in the right, burning matches close to the touchhole, answered, 'Either money or blood?'

From Project Gutenberg

A wall of pikes bristled in formidable array against a sudden attack, the guns were presented and the match held at the touchhole ready to fire.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Carefully, deliberately, Pamela Russell lowered her candle to the cannon's touchhole.

From Project Gutenberg