touchhole

[ tuhch-hohl ]

/ ˈtʌtʃˌhoʊl /

the vent in the breech of an early firearm or cannon through which the charge was ignited.

Origin of touchhole

First recorded in 1495–1505; touch + hole

Carefully, deliberately, Pamela Russell lowered her candle to the cannon's touchhole.

Shaman |Robert Shea
It always is there with men of Bertie's order, and only comes to light when the match of danger is applied to the touchhole.

Under Two Flags |Ouida [Louise de la Ramee]
One of the guns apparently missed fire, and as he was placing fresh powder in the touchhole the stuff went off.

Captured at Tripoli |Percy F. Westerman
One of the men inserted a percussion fuse in the touchhole of the mortar.

Larry Dexter's Great Search |Howard R. Garis

There rose a little smoke from the touchhole plate, but no shot resounded.

The Treasure of Pearls |Gustave Aimard

touchhole

/ (ˈtʌtʃˌhəʊl) /

a hole in the breech of early cannon and firearms through which the charge was ignited