blowpipe

noun

blow·​pipe ˈblō-ˌpīp How to pronounce blowpipe (audio)
1
: a small tubular instrument for directing a jet of air or other gas into a flame so as to concentrate and increase the heat
2
3
: a tubular instrument used for revealing or cleaning a bodily cavity by forcing air into it
4
: a long metal tube on the end of which a glassmaker gathers a quantity of molten glass and through which he blows to expand and shape it

Examples of blowpipe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The buck was given a low dose of tranquilizer, Tarbox said, delivered from a blowpipe. Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2019 Guests can learn to weave, hunt with a blowpipe, and fish sustainably with poisonous roots, but there are also opportunities to teach in the local school. Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Dec. 2018 At his workstation, Horton rests the blowpipe's midsection on a metal arm. C.j. Chivers, Popular Mechanics, 26 Apr. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blowpipe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of blowpipe was in 1670

Dictionary Entries Near blowpipe

Cite this Entry

“Blowpipe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blowpipe. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

blowpipe

noun
blow·​pipe ˈblō-ˌpīp How to pronounce blowpipe (audio)
1
: a small tube for blowing a jet of gas (as air) into a flame so as to increase the heat in a small area
2

Medical Definition

blowpipe

noun
blow·​pipe ˈblō-ˌpīp How to pronounce blowpipe (audio)
: a tubular instrument used in anatomy and zoology for revealing or cleaning a bodily cavity by forcing air into it

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