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portfire

noun
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Definition of portfire

: a fuze or match for firing guns or fireworks: such as
a : a paper case filled with a composition of niter, sulfur, and mealed powder
b : a slow-burning fuze (as a billet of wood impregnated with potassium nitrate) or an incendiary cord or tube for igniting fuzes of blasting charges

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History and Etymology for portfire

partial translation of French porte-feu from porter to carry + feu fire

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Cite this Entry

“Portfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/portfire. Accessed 20 Jan. 2022.

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