firemace (firm as)

An incendiary weapon used in ancient warfare, consisting of a ve el of pottery or gla filled with combustible fluid, and usually thrown from a military engine. The ve el broke when it struck, and distributed its burn ing contents. Such ve els were often charged with Greek fire (which see, under fire). The name probably had its origin in the bulbous or club-like shape of the ve el. IMG:content-1367.png:[blocks in formation] 2. One of the crew of a gun in the United States navy whose duty it is to a ist in extinguishing fire, especially during a battle.-3. A man employed in tending fires, as of a steam engine; a stoker. The fireman can not cram too much pine into the furW. M. Baker, New Timothy, p. 16. nace. 4. In coal- mining, a person charged with the special duty of examining every morning the working-places and roads of a pit to ascertain if fire-damp is present. fire-marble (fir'mär bl), n. Same as lumachel. fire-master (fir'måster), n. 1. An officer of artillery who superintends the composition of fireworks. [Rare.] Fire -master, in our train of artillery, is an officer who gives directions, and the proportions of the ingredients, for all the compositions of Fire-works, whether for service in war, or for rejoicings and recreations. Chambers's Cyc. (London, 1741), quoted in N. and Q., [7th ser., III. 479. 2. In Great Britain, the chief of a fire-brigade. fire-new (fir'nu), a. [ brand-new. IMG:content-1368.png:[blocks in formation] fire-opal (fir'ō"pal), n. Lamb , My Relations. A fire-insurance office. A variety of opal. See girasol. fire-ordeal (fir'orde-al), n. [