matchlock: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical/Historical/Specialist
Quick answer
What does “matchlock” mean?
A historical gun-firing mechanism using a slow-burning cord (match) to ignite the gunpowder.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical gun-firing mechanism using a slow-burning cord (match) to ignite the gunpowder.
A type of firearm equipped with this mechanism, common from the 15th to the 17th centuries. It can also refer to the style or period characterised by such technology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage, as the term is purely historical/technical.
Connotations
Connotes antiquity, early military technology, and the age of exploration or colonial warfare in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, appearing almost exclusively in historical, military, or museum contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “matchlock” in a Sentence
[fire/load/carry] a matchlockbe armed with a matchlockthe [invention/era] of the matchlockVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “matchlock” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Used attributively, e.g., 'matchlock technology', 'matchlock period']
American English
- [Used attributively, e.g., 'matchlock rifle', 'matchlock design']
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical, military history, and technological evolution papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Precise term in historical arms collecting, reenactment, and museum cataloguing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “matchlock”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “matchlock”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “matchlock”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He matchlocked the gun'). It is only a noun.
- Confusing it with 'flintlock', a later, more advanced mechanism.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Musket' is a broader term for a type of long gun. Early muskets were matchlocks, but later ones used flintlock or percussion cap mechanisms.
It was unreliable in wet weather, the glowing match gave away positions at night, and the mechanism was slow to operate compared to later firing systems like the flintlock.
Original antiques are sold by specialist dealers, and modern replicas are made for historical reenactors, though they are heavily regulated as firearms.
It was typically a cord of hemp or flax, soaked in a solution of saltpetre (potassium nitrate) to make it burn slowly and consistently.
A historical gun-firing mechanism using a slow-burning cord (match) to ignite the gunpowder.
Matchlock is usually technical/historical/specialist in register.
Matchlock: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmatʃlɒk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmætʃlɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. The word is not used idiomatically.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LOCK of hair. A 'matchlock' firearm needs a burning 'match' (cord) to 'lock' (ignite) the gunpowder.
Conceptual Metaphor
TECHNOLOGICAL PRIMITIVENESS: 'matchlock' is often used metaphorically to describe something outdated or cumbersome, e.g., 'Their computer system was a digital matchlock.'
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining component of a matchlock firearm?