Firedamp
noun
noun ·3 syllables ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A flammable gas (mostly methane) found in coal mines; forms an explosive mixture with air. uncountable, usually
- 2 a mixture of gases (mostly methane) that form in coal mines and become explosive when mixed with air wordnet
Etymology
From fire + damp with 'damp' not in the usual sense of 'moist' but old German, modern Dutch, Danish 'damp' as steam or vapour, hence a gas liable to catch fire.