extinguisher (ekstinggwisher)

One who or that which extinguishes, or suppre es or puts out of existence. Specifically-( a ) A hollow conical cap for extinguishing the flame of a candle or lamp. A hollow chrystal pyramid he takes, In firmamental waters dipt above; Of it a brode extinguisher he makes, And holds the flames that to their quarry strove. Dryden, Annus Mirabilis, 1. 281, 2095 (b) A portable apparatus for extinguishing fire. See fire extinguisher. - Chemical extinguisher, a fire-ext in guisher which acts by a chemical agency, as by the generation of a flow of carbonic-acid gas which on the fire.