Congreve
['kɔŋgri:v]
Definition
(noun.) English playwright remembered for his comedies (1670-1729).
Edited by Debra--From WordNet
Definition
n. a rocket for use in war invented by Sir William Congreve (1772-1828).—n. Con′greve-match a kind of lucifer match invented by Congreve.
Typist: Portia
Examples
- The noiseless match, or Lucifer, has, in its turn, driven the Congreve almost out of use, though for practical purposes the latter was as effective, and it was less dangerous. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- Early in the present century during the Napoleonic Wars, the rocket perfected by Sir William Congreve was used in the siege of Boulogne and in the battle of Leipsic. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- The next improvement was the Congreve match, in which recourse was had to the materials previously used, separately, for obtaining instantaneous lights. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- Congreve matches were composed of an emulsion of phosphorus mixed with chlorate of potass, into which the matches, previously tipped with sulphur, were dipped. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- In 1827 John Walker, an English druggist, made friction matches called congreves. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
Editor: Rena