a match that will light only when struck against a specially prepared surface
safety match in American English
a match that will light only when it is struck on a prepared surface
safety match in American English
noun
a match designed to ignite only when rubbed on a specially prepared surface
Word origin
[1860–65]This word is first recorded in the period 1860–65. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: institutionalism, jumping jack, mutualism, prep, raider
Examples of 'safety match' in a sentence
safety match
The staff had clearly dispensed with the safety matches, and had lit and arranged 100 individual candles before we entered the low-level cave.