blowpipe

noun

blow·​pipe ˈblō-ˌpīp 

1

: a small tubular instrument for directing a jet of air or other gas into a flame so as to concentrate and increase the heat

2

: blowgun

3

: a tubular instrument used for revealing or cleaning a bodily cavity by forcing air into it

4

: a long metal tube used by a glassmaker to gather a quantity of molten glass and then blow through to expand and shape it

Examples of blowpipe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The buck was given a low dose of tranquilizer, Tarbox said, delivered from a blowpipe. — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2019

Guests can learn to weave, hunt with a blowpipe, and fish sustainably with poisonous roots, but there are also opportunities to teach in the local school. — Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Dec. 2018

At his workstation, Horton rests the blowpipe's midsection on a metal arm. — C.j. Chivers, Popular Mechanics, 26 Apr. 2016

Word History

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for blowpipe

• bagpipe
• standpipe
• stovepipe
• subtype
• tailpipe
• unripe
• windpipe
• allotype
• antitype
• archetype
• biotype
• collotype

Kids Definition

blowpipe

noun

blow·​pipe ˈblō-ˌpīp 

1

: a small tube for blowing a jet of gas (as air) into a flame so as to increase the heat in a small area

2

: blowgun

Medical Definition

blowpipe

noun

blow·​pipe ˈblō-ˌpīp 

: a tubular instrument used in anatomy and zoology for revealing or cleaning a bodily cavity by forcing air into it