blow-pipe, blowpipe
[f. blow v.1 + pipe.]
1. a. A tube through which a current of air (or other gas) is blown into a flame to increase the heat, for the purpose of fusing metals, etc.; especially employed in chemical experiments, analysis, etc. (Hence, often attrib., as in blowpipe analysis, blow-pipe character, blow-pipe flame.) b. Glass-blowing. A tube by means of which the molten glass is blown into the required shape.
| 1685 Boyle Effects of Motion iv. 36 A small crooked pipe of metal or glass, such as Tradesmen..call a Blow-pipe. 1765 Douglas in Phil. Trans. LVIII. 185 The flame of a candle was directed to it by means of a blow-pipe. 1830 Herschel Stud. Nat. Phil. ii. vi. (1851) 162 These great masses are made up of watch-glassfuls, and blowpipe-beads. c 1865 J. Wylde in Circ. Sc. I. 396/2 Much art is required in using the blow-pipe. 1868 Dana Min. Introd. 20 Physical and Blowpipe characters. 1879 Watts Dict. Chem. I. 616 A blowpipe flame of great power. |
2. A long tube through which American Indians and other races propel arrows or darts by force of the breath.
| 1825 Waterton Wand. S. Amer. i. i. 89 They will..send the poisoned dart from the blow-pipe true to its destination. 1840 Marryat Olla Podr. (Rtldg.) 291 Like an arrow from the blow-pipe of a South American Indian. |