firing glass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowHistorical, Antique, Specialized
Quick answer
What does “firing glass” mean?
A large drinking glass, typically bell-shaped and made of glass, used for celebratory toasts, especially in the 18th century.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large drinking glass, typically bell-shaped and made of glass, used for celebratory toasts, especially in the 18th century.
Historically, a glass used to drink a toast, often slammed or 'fired' onto the table after consumption to produce a loud noise as part of a ritual; sometimes refers to a type of rummer or other sturdy drinking vessel.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally rare in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British contexts due to the prevalence of 18th-century British naval and drinking traditions.
Connotations
Connotes history, tradition, naval/military ceremonies, and Georgian/Regency-era social rituals.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary usage. Almost exclusively found in historical texts, museum descriptions, or specialized antiques catalogues.
Grammar
How to Use “firing glass” in a Sentence
[glass] was used for [toasting/firing]to drink from a [firing glass]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “firing glass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The commodore fired his glass onto the oak table.
- After the toast, they would fire their glasses in unison.
American English
- He fired his glass to conclude the ceremony.
- The tradition involved firing your glass after drinking.
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable for this noun-based compound]
American English
- [Not applicable for this noun-based compound]
adjective
British English
- The firing-glass ritual was a key part of the evening.
- He purchased a fine firing-glass set at auction.
American English
- The firing glass tradition is mostly historical now.
- A firing-glass collection can be quite valuable.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the antiques trade to describe a specific collectible item.
Academic
Used in historical, cultural studies, or material culture papers discussing 18th-century social rituals.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used in glassware classification, museum curation, and historical reenactment guides.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “firing glass”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “firing glass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “firing glass”
- Using it to refer to any modern drinking glass.
- Confusing it with a 'shot glass'.
- Interpreting 'firing' literally as involving combustion.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A firing glass is typically larger, bell-shaped, and from the 18th century, used for a specific ritual. A shot glass is small and modern.
Because of the action of slamming or 'firing' it onto the table after the toast, creating a loud bang reminiscent of a gun or cannon shot.
Yes, primarily as reproductions for reenactors or as antiques from specialist dealers. They are not common modern tableware.
While strongly associated with the British navy and aristocracy, similar toasting rituals with sturdy glasses were found in other European and American contexts of the period.
A large drinking glass, typically bell-shaped and made of glass, used for celebratory toasts, especially in the 18th century.
Firing glass is usually historical, antique, specialized in register.
Firing glass: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfaɪərɪŋ ɡlɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfaɪrɪŋ ɡlæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a glass used to give a toast, then FIRED (slammed) onto the table to make a bang.
Conceptual Metaphor
CELEBRATION IS A LOUD EXPLOSION (firing a salute with a glass).
Practice
Quiz
A 'firing glass' is primarily associated with which activity?