blowpipe

C2 Topic:Materials & Substances

US /ˈbloʊˌpaɪp/ UK /ˈbləʊˌpaɪp/ See IPA manual

Freq #95634

Meanings

1

noun
a narrow tube used to direct air or gas into a flame, concentrating its heat for chemical tests, metalwork, or mineral analysis

The geologist heated the powdered mineral before the blowpipe to test its composition.
2

noun
a long tube through which darts or pellets are propelled by the breath

The hunter carried a blowpipe and a case of light darts.
3

noun
a long metal tube used to gather and blow molten glass into shape

The glassworker rotated the blowpipe while shaping the glowing vessel.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a narrow tube used to... blowtube

2 noun · a long tube through which... blowgun

3 noun · a long metal tube used to... blowing iron

Word family

Related forms torch bellowsglassblowing

Etymology

A compound of blow + pipe, recorded in the late seventeenth century. The name first covered tubes that focused a stream of breath or air and was later applied to the glassworker's pipe and the breath-powered dart weapon.

Topics

Materials & Substances

External links

# blowpipe

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈbloʊˌpaɪp/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈbləʊˌpaɪp/
**Frequency rank:** 95634

## Meanings
1. a narrow tube used to direct air or gas into a flame, concentrating its heat for chemical tests, metalwork, or mineral analysis
2. a long tube through which darts or pellets are propelled by the breath
3. a long metal tube used to gather and blow molten glass into shape

## Examples
- The geologist heated the powdered mineral before the blowpipe to test its composition.
- The hunter carried a blowpipe and a case of light darts.
- The glassworker rotated the blowpipe while shaping the glowing vessel.

## Synonyms
- blowtube
- blowgun
- blowing iron

## Related Forms
- torch
- bellows
- glassblowing

## Etymology
A compound of blow + pipe, recorded in the late seventeenth century. The name first covered tubes that focused a stream of breath or air and was later applied to the glassworker's pipe and the breath-powered dart weapon.

## Topics
- Materials & Substances

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