fire-room 
supply of the furnaces with coal. Also called 
stoke-hole. 
fire-screen (fir'skren), . 1. A kind of mova- 
ble screen placed before a fire to intercept the 
heat. Specilicall\ (</) A standing frame supporting a 
surface of panel-work, textile fabric, or glass, the last of 
which allows the fire to be seen, while keeping oil the 
heat, (ii) A piece of stuff hanging from the edge of the 
mantelpiece or from a bracket or an arm, generally of 
light metal-work, (c) A screen, not unlike a fan, small 
enough to hold in the hand. 
2. A woolen screen placed in the passage- 
way from a powder-magazine whenever this 
is opened. 
fire-set (fir'set), . A set of fire-irons, usually 
comprising shovel, poker, and tongs, with the 
holder. The holder consists generally of a metal rod 
with arms or a ring, fixed at the foot in a solid block or tile. 
fire-setting (fir'sef'ing), . Excavation in a 
mine with the preliminary aid of a fire built 
against the working-face. NOW almost an obsolete 
process, but before the application of gunpowder to min- 
ing purposes a method of the greatest importance. The 
rock, after being highly heated, is rapidly cooled by throw - 
ing cold water on it, by which it is so much cracked that 
it can be broken down by pick and gad. 
fire-shield (fir'sheld), n. A sheet-metal guard 
used to protect workmen at a furnace or fire- 
men at a fire from the heat. In an improved form t.i 
sheets of corrugated iron are riveted together at the edges, 
and connected at the top with a hose bringing water un- 
der pressure. The water fills the screen and escapes be- 
low. Hung on an elevated track before a furnace-door or 
suspended from a crane, it serves to absorb the heat from 
the furnace, and to keep the fire-room cool. When not 
required, it is rolled aside or lifted by the crane. 
fire-ship (fir'ship), n. A vessel freighted with 
combustibles and explosives and set adrift, 
for the purpose of burning or blowing up an 
enemy's ships, a bridge, or other object. 
fire-shovel (fir'shuv"!), n. [ME. not found ; < 
AS. fyrscofl (in a gloss), < fyr, fire, + scofl, 
shovel. ] A shovel for lifting or removing coals 
of fire or ashes, or for placing coals on a fire. 
Nym and Bardolph are sworn brothers in filching, and 
in Calais they stole a fire-shovel : I knew, by that piece of 
service, the men would carry coals. Shak., Hen. V., iii. '2. 
fireside (fir'sld), . and a. I. n. The side of the 
fireplace; the hearth; the space about a fire or 
hearth, considered especially as the place where 
a family gathers for social enjoyment. 
There is no fireside, howsoe'er defended, 
But has one vacant chair. 
Longfellow, Resignation. 
How often shall her old fireside 
Be cheer'd with tidings of the bride. 
Tennyson, In Memoriam, xl. 
For the winter fireside meet, 
Between the andirons' straddling feet, 
The mug of cider simmered slow. 
Whittier, Snow-Bound. 
II. a. Fitted for the fireside ; homely ; inti- 
mate. 
In a letter to Southey, Lamb says of Hunt, "He is one 
of the most cordial-minded men I ever knew, and match- 
less as & fireside companion." 
Personal Traits of British Authors, p. 226. 
No higher compliment was ever paid to a nation than 
the simple confidence, the fireside plainness, with which 
Mr. Lincoln always addresses himself to the reason of the 
American people. Lowell, Study Windows, p. 174. 
fire-silvering (fir'siFver-ing), n. A method of 
silvering either by the use of a silver amalgam 
or by thoroughly cleansing the surface of the 
metal and then applying a mixture of spongy 
precipitated metallic silver, sal ammoniac, saTt, 
and corrosive sublimate, and finally heating in 
a muffle. 
firesmo (fi-res'mo), n. A little-used mnemonic 
name for the mood of syllogism called festino. 
The name firesmo implies that the premises are 
transposed. 
fire-spirit (flr'spir"it), . The spirit or deity 
supposed in some systems of religion to be the 
animating principle of fire; fire personified. 
The Fire-spirit has great influence with the winged ae- 
rial supreme deity, wherefore the Indians implore him to 
be their interpreter, to procure them success in hunting 
and fishing, fleet horses, obedient wives, and male chil- 
dren. E. B. Tylor, Prim. Culture, II. 253. 
fire-spot (fir'spot), . In arcJueol., a bowl- 
shaped hollow in the earth, partly filled with 
ashes, calcined bones, etc., and apparently used 
as a fireplace. By some, fire-spots are thought to be 
the vestiges of funeral pyres. They are common in the 
north of Europe, especially in Scandinavian countries. 
fire-Steel (fir'stel), n. [(= D. ruurstaal = G. 
feuerstahl = Dan. jftrrfool) < fire + steel. Cf. 
fire-iron.} A steel used with a flint for striking 
fire. 
A fire-steele wherewith to strike fire out of a flinte. 
Nvmt'in'litt"!- 
2231 
rious parts of the world for obtaining fire by 
friction, or rubbing of one stick against ano- 
ther, either with the hands simply or with the 
aid of the drill. 
Wlien the use of pyrites fur striking fire is found exist- 
ing in company with it in North AimTir;i, it is at least like- 
ly that the lii'e-slirk is the older instrument. 
E. B. Tutor, Early History of Mankind, p. 202. 
fire-stpne (fir'ston), n. [< M.E.fyyrstone, < AS. 
fi/rxtdn (= OD. ricrstccn, D. vuurstcen = MLG. 
vursten, LG. fuersten = G. feuerstcin = Dan. 
fyrsten), flint, <fyr, fire, + stan, stone.] 1. A 
flint used with a steel for striking fire. 
Afire-stone to strike fire with, silex. 
ll'itltal*, Diet. (ed. 1608), p. 206. 
2f. Iron pyrites: so called because it strikes 
fire with steel. See pyrites. 3. A stone which 
resists the action of fire ; especially, a kind of 
sandstone used in fireplaces: same as n/tilm- 
rock. 4. An incendiary composition employed 
to set fire to ships, buildings, etc. it is made of 
niter, sulphur, antimony, and rosin, mixed with melted 
tallow and turpentine. The melted mixture is cast in pa- 
per molds and primed with a fuse. For use it is charged 
in shell together with a bursting-charge. 
fire-surface (tir'ser"fas), . In steam-boilers, 
the aggregate surface of the boiler exposed to 
the action of the fire. Also called heating-sur- 
face. 
fire-swab (fir'swob), . A swab of rope-yarns, 
saturated with water during action, and used 
to extinguish any particles of fire ; the rammer 
and sponge-heads. 
firetail (fir'tal), n. 1. A hymenopterous in- 
sect of the family Chrysididw, such as the ruby- 
tailed fly, Chrysis ignita. 2. The redstart or 
redtail, Rutieilla phcenicura, a bird. Also fire- 
flirt. [Local, Eng.] 
fire-telegraph (flr'tel"e-graf), . A telegraph 
to announce the outbreak of fire to different 
parts of a city, by means of signal-boxes placed 
at convenient points. 
fire-tower (fir'tou'er), . [Cf. D. vuurtoren = 
G. feuerthurm (rare) = Dan. fyrtaarn = Sw. 
fyrtorn, a lighthouse.] 1. An erection with an 
iron vessel on its top for holding fire or a flame, 
answering the purpose of a lighthouse. 2. A 
tower from which to watch for the outbreak of 
fire in a city, and to give the alarm by the ring- 
ing of a bell : now generally superseded by the 
fire-telegraph. 
fire-trap (fir'trap), . A place or building spe- 
" iich life is greatly ex- 
fire-Stick (fir'stik), . [Cf. Dan. fyrstik, fyr- 
stikke, a match.] 1. A lighted stick or brand. 
S/> K. Digliy. 2. The implement used in va- 
cially combustible, in which 
posed to destruction by fire. 
While searching for fire-traps among the theaters, why 
not take a look at the churches and school-houses ? 
Waterbury (Conn.) Weekly American, Dec. 23, 1881. 
fire-tree (fir'tre), n. In bot.: (a) Same as flame- 
tree, 1. (b) In New Zealand, the Metrosideros 
tomen tosa, a large myrtaceous tree with brilliant 
flowers. 
fire-tube (fir'tub), n. In steam-engines, a fur- 
nace-tube through which the flame and heated 
air pass from the fire-chamber; a pipe-flue. 
fire-ward, fire-warden (fir' ward, -war"dn), . 
An officer having authority in the prevention 
or extinguishing of fires, as in towns or camps. 
fire-water (fir'wa"ter), . Ardent spirits: a 
name used by American Indians. 
The blood of chiefs is in my veins, where it must stay 
forever. The Dutch landed, and gave my people the fire- 
water; they drank until the heavens and the earth seemed 
to meet, and they foolishly thought they had found the 
Great Spirit. J. F. Cooper, Last of -Mohicans, iii. 
From Sagamore Bonython's hunting flask 
The fire-water burns at the lip of Megone. 
Whittier, Mogg Megone, i. 
fire-weapont (fir'wep'n), . Same us firearm. 
J. Bingliani, Tactics of Aelian, 1616. 
fireweed (fir' wed), n. In hot.: (a) The Erech- 
thites hieracifolia, a coarse annual composite of 
North America, so called from its appearing 
abundantly where clearings have recently been 
burned over, (b) The great willow-herb, Epilo- 
biurn a ng ustifolium, for the same reason, (c) 
The horseweed, Erigcron Canadensis. (d) A 
species of plantain, Plantago media. 
fire-wood (fir'wud), . Wood for fuel. 
In haste they drove, . . . and heap'd 
Their firewood, and the winds from off the plain 
Rolled the rich vapour far into the heaven. 
Tennyson, Iliad, viii. 543. 
firework (fir'werk), n. [= D. ruiirwerk = G. 
fi-ncriaerk ; cf. T)&n.fyrrarkeri = Sw.fyrrerkrri 
(def. 2).] If. Work wrought in the fire. Dn>x. 
His heart the anuile wheron the deuill frames his jir< - 
worke. Breton, A Mnrmurer, p. 10. 
2. A contrivance of inflammable and explosive 
materials combined in various proportions, for 
the purpose of producing in combustion beau- 
fire-worshiper 
tiful or amusing scenic effects, or to be used 
as a night signal on laud or sea, or for various 
purposes in war: commonly used in the plural. 
The basis of these compositions consists of potassium 
chlorate, niter, sulphur, and charcoal, pulverized, and 
combined in dillcrent proportions with other :i 
which have the quality of imparting color to the tiamc 
(as with copper sulphate for blue, strontium nitrate or 
carbonate for red, potassium salts for violet, sodium salts 
for yellow, barium carbonate or nitrate for green), and 
with iron- and steel-tilings to produce brilliant scintilla- 
tions. These compositions are packed in cases of paper 
and pasteboard, generally cylindrical, the processes of 
packing and finishing demanding much skill and care. For 
scenic displays, the forms of fireworks most in use are the 
fixed fires, such as theater-fires, lances, ami gerbes ; rotat- 
ing fires, as pin- or catharine-wheels, spiral wheels, etc. ; 
ascending fires, as sky-rockets and girandoles ; Roman 
candles; etc. As night signals or as incendiary projec- 
tiles, various pyrotechnic devices have been employed 
with success in military and naval operations. These de- 
vices consist of preparations used (1) in the service of can- 
non or cannon-ammunition, such as slow-match, quick- 
match, friction, electric, and obturating primers, port- 
fires, and fuses ; (2) for signals, such as signal-rockets, sig- 
nal-lights, blue lights, etc., with their decorations consist- 
ing of stars, serpents, gold rain, rain of fire, and marrons; 
(3) for incendiary purposes, as the carcass, incendiary 
match, and fire-stone ; (4) for light, as tarred links, torch- 
es, light-balls, fire-balls, pitched fascines, and parachute- 
shells; (5) for offensive and defensive purposes, as bags of 
powder, petards, projectile rockets, as those of Congreye 
and Hale, light-barrels, and dynamite or nitroglycerin 
cartridges. The most familiar of the many forms of fire- 
works is the sky-rocket, whether employed as a signal 
or for mere display, or as a projectile in war. An impor- 
tant use of the rocket is that of a line-carrier to establish 
communication between a wrecked vessel and the shore. 
The Chinese, if not the actual inventors of fireworks, 
were the first to use the rocket as a missile in war, and 
the pyrotechnic exhibitions of the Chinese and Japanese 
still surpass those of all other peoples in ingenuity and 
splendor. The Japanese have contrived an exhibition of 
fireworks by daylight, consisting of bombs which, explod- 
ing high in air, discharge jets or volumes of colored smoke 
which take the forms of birds, fishes, trees, and even of 
human beings. Fireworks are supposed to have been in- 
troduced Into Europe by the Italians. They are men- 
tioned in a description of a pageant at the marriage of 
Henry VIII. and Anne Boleyn. 
The king would have me present the princess . . . with 
some delightful ostentation, or show, or pageant, or antic, 
or firework. Shak., L. L. L., v. 1. 
All the hammocks were taken down, our ordnance load- 
ed, and our powder-chests and fireworks made ready. 
Winthrop, Hist. New England, I. 7. 
There was at night a shew of very strange and sundry 
kinds of fireworks, compelled by cunning to fly to and fro, 
and to mount very high into the air upward, and also to 
burn unquenchable in the water beneath. 
Laneham, quoted in Strutt's Sports and Pastimes, p. 480. 
fire-workert (fir'wer"ker), n. [= Dan. fyn-xr- 
ker = Sw. fyrverkare.~\ An officer of artillery, 
subordinate to the fire-master: now called sec- 
ond lieutenant. 
Fire-workers are subordinate officers to the fire-masters, 
who command the bombardeers. They receive the orders 
from the fire-masters, and see that the bombardeers exe- 
cute them. 
Chambers'* Cue. (London, 1741), quoted in N. andQ., 7th 
[ser., III. 479. 
Fire-worker of H. M. Office of Ordnance. 
K. and Q., 7th ser., III. 429. 
fire-worm (fir'werm), n. [= MLG. vurworm = 
G. feuerworm.~\ Aglow-worm. 
I have seen the fireflies and fire-worms. 
Byron, Cain, ii. 1. 
fire-worship (fir'wer"ship), n. The worship of 
fire, or of the god of fire, or of the divine as 
typified by fire ; also, the ceremonial cult of a 
public or a family hearth, as practised, for in- 
stance, by all Aryan peoples, by all ancient 
Greek communities, by the vestal virgins of 
Eome, and in each ancient Greek and Roman 
family. The term fire-worship, as specifically applied to 
the religion of the ancient Persians taught by Zoroaster, 
and practised by their descendants, the G uebers and Parsis 
of Persia and India, is, if taken literally, a misnomer de- 
rived from the Mohammedans, the fire being with these 
peoples merely a symbol of divinity and a visible sign of 
their religion. See Gueber and Parsi. 
Fire-worship brings into view again, though under dif- 
ferent aspects and with different results, the problems 
presented by water-worship. The real and absolute wor- 
ship of fire falls into great divisions, the first belonging 
rather to fetishism, the second to polytheism proper, and 
the two apparently representing an earlier and later stage 
of theological ideas. E. B. Tylor, Prim. Culture, II. 251. 
After vanquishing Moab and Ammon, both nations ad- 
dicted to fire-worship, he [David] showed no trace of mercy 
towards them. Von Ranke, Univ. Hist, (trans.), p. 47. 
fire-worshiper (fir 'wer" ship -er), n. A wor- 
shiper of fire ; specifically, a follower of Zoro- 
aster. See Gueber and Parsi. 
There has been an error in imagining that the Persians 
and the ancient fire-worshippers were idolaters simply of 
fire, inasmuch as, in bowing down before it, they simply 
regarded Fire as a symbol, or visible sign, or thing placed 
as standing for Deity. H. Jennings, Roslcrucians, p. 79. 
The so-called Fire -worshippers certainly do not worship 
the fire, and they naturally object to a name which seems 
to place them on a level with mere idolaters. 
Max Mutter, Chips, I. 169. 
