Greek fire

n. An incendiary preparation first used by the Byzantine Greeks to set fire to enemy ships.

Greek fire

n 1. (Military) a Byzantine weapon employed in naval warfare from 670 ad. It consisted of an unknown mixture that, when wetted, exploded and was projected, burning, from tubes 2. (Military) any of several other inflammable mixtures used in warfare up to the 19th century

Greek′ fire′

n. an incendiary mixture of unknown composition, used in warfare in medieval times by Byzantine Greeks. [1820–30]

Thesaurus

Noun

Greek fire - a mixture used by Byzantine Greeks that was often shot at adversaries; catches fire when wettedweapon, weapon system, arm - any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting; "he was licensed to carry a weapon"mixture - (chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)

Translations

υγρόν πυρ

Greek fire

Greek fire,

a flammable composition believed to have consisted of sulfur, naphtha, and quicklime. Although known in antiquity, it was first employed on a large scale by the Byzantines. Bronze tubes that emitted jets of liquid fire were mounted on the prows of their galleys and on the walls of Constantinople. The Byzantines in 678 and again in 717–18 destroyed two Saracen fleets with Greek fire.

Greek Fire

an incendiary mixture that was used in the seventh to 15th centuries in sea battles and during sieges of fortresses. Greek fire probably consisted of resin, rosin, sulfur, saltpeter, and other substances; its flame could not be extinguished by water. In 673 the Greeks, who had borrowed it from the Arabs, successfully used it in the defense of Constantinople. The ignited mixture was hurled at enemy ships in kegs and also from special copper tubes that were installed on the prow and sides of the ship. Until the 12th century the Greeks held a monopoly on the use of Greek fire in sea battles; later it began to be used in other fleets. With the appearance of firearms, Greek fire lost its importance.

Greek fire

Greek fire

Greek fire

Greek′ fire′

Greek fire

Greek fire,

Greek Fire

Greek fire

Words related to Greek fire

noun a mixture used by Byzantine Greeks that was often shot at adversaries

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