lucifer

Etymology

Originally a brand name for matches made by Samuel Jones from 1830, soon used generically for self-igniting matches of any brand. From lucifer (“bringer of light”)

Noun

lucifer (plural lucifers)

1. (Britain, archaic) A self-igniting match, ie. one which could be lit by striking on any surface (as opposed to safety matches which only light against the material on the side of the box).
   • 1915, George Asaf, song Pack up your Troubles

     While you've a lucifer to light your fag,
     Smile, boys, that's the style.

Anagrams

• ferulic

Etymology

From English lucifer.

Pronunciation

• Audio

  (file)

Noun

lucifer m (plural lucifers, diminutive lucifertje n)

1. match

Etymology

From lūx, lūcis (“light”) +‎ -i- +‎ -fer (“-carrying”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈluː.ki.fer/, [ˈɫuː.kɪ.fɛr]

Adjective

lūcifer (feminine lūcifera, neuter lūciferum); first/second declension

1. light-bringing

Noun

lūcifer m (genitive lūciferī); second declension

1. bringer of light
2. morning star, daystar, planet Venus

References

• lucifer in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• lucifer in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• lucifer in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Hachette
• lucifer in The Perseus Project (1999) Perseus Encyclopedia‎
• lucifer in Harry Thurston Peck, editor (1898) Harper's Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, New York: Harper & Brothers
• lucifer in William Smith, editor (1848) A Dictionary of Greek Biography and Mythology, London: John Murray