Associations to the word «Matchlock»

Wiktionary

MATCHLOCK, noun. Early type of firearm, using a smoldering piece of cord to fire the powder in the firing pan.
MATCHLOCK, noun. The gunlock used in such a weapon, having a slow smouldering match, see: slow match.

Dictionary definition

MATCHLOCK, noun. An early style of musket; a slow-burning wick would be lowered into a hole in the breech to ignite the charge.

Wise words

Words are always getting conventionalized to some secondary meaning. It is one of the works of poetry to take the truants in custody and bring them back to their right senses.
William Butler Yeats