Congreve

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Congreve \Con"greve\, n. [After Sir William Congreve, the
     inventor.]
     1. Short for {Cogreve rocket}, a powerful form of rocket
        formerly used in war, either in the field or for
        bombardment. In the former case it was armed with shell,
        shrapnel, or other missiles; in the latter, with an


        inextinguishable explosive material, inclosed in a
        metallic case. It was guided by a long wooden stick.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     2. Short for
  
     {Congreve match}, an early friction match, containing
        sulphur, potassium chlorate, and antimony sulphide.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]