TERMIUM Plus®

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TOUCH-HOLE [1 record]

Record 1 2018-02-27

English

Subject field(s)
  • Antique and Obsolete Weapons
DEF

The [opening] in the breech of an early firearm or cannon through which the charge was ignited.

CONT

A German manuscript of about 1390 survives to indicate some of the details of loading and firing. ... The charge was ignited by inserting a red-hot wire through the touchhole in the top of a barrel or by using a glowing coal held in tongs.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Armes anciennes
DEF

Ouverture pratiquée dans le tube [d'une bouche à feu] permettant la mise à feu de la charge de poudre.

CONT

On connaît déjà [en 1364] des canons individuels [...] dont la charge est allumée avec un fer chauffé au rouge ou un charbon. [...] Leur maniement n'était guère facile. Le manche devait être tenu sous le bras gauche, la bouche dans la direction du but. Avec l'autre main, on saisissait le fer rouge ou le charbon ardent [...] et on s'efforçait [...] de placer l'extrémité incandescente dans la lumière du canon.

Spanish

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