lucifer match
A sulfur friction match whose head is treated with equal parts antimony trisulfide and…A sulfur friction match whose head is treated with equal parts antimony trisulfide and potassium chlorate.
Meaning
3 senses(UK, obsolete)A sulfur friction match whose head is treated with equal parts antimony trisulfide and potassium chlorate.
(UK, archaic)Synonym of phosphorus match, a strike-anywhere friction match coated with white phosphorus.
(UK, archaic, proscribed, sometimes)Synonym of friction match, inclusive of safety matches.
Origin
From Latin lucifer (“bringer of light”), originally a brand name for Isaac Holden's matchFrom Latin lucifer (“bringer of light”), originally a brand name for Isaac Holden's match formulation as marketed by Samuel Jones from 1829 or 1830 but soon transferred to the era's friction matches generally.
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