[f. BLOW v.1 + PIPE.]
1. a. A tube through which a current of air (or other gas) is blown into a flame to increase the heat, for the purpose of fusing metals, etc.; especially employed in chemical experiments, analysis, etc. (Hence, often attrib., as in blowpipe analysis, character, flame. b. Glass-blowing. A tube by means of which the molten glass is blown into the required shape.
1685. Boyle, Effects of Motion, iv. 36. A small crooked pipe of metal or glass, such as Tradesmen … call a Blow-pipe.
1765. Douglas, in Phil. Trans., LVIII. 185. The flame of a candle was directed to it by means of a blow-pipe.
1830. Herschel, Stud. Nat. Phil., II. vi. (1851), 162. These great masses are made up of watch-glassfuls, and blowpipe-beads.
c. 1865. J. Wylde, in Circ. Sc., I. 396/2. Much art is required in using the blow-pipe.
1868. Dana, Min., Introd. 20. Physical and Blowpipe characters.
1879. Watts, Dict. Chem., I. 616. A blowpipe flame of great power.
2. A long tube through which American Indians and other races propel arrows or darts by force of the breath.
1825. Waterton, Wand. S. Amer., I. i. 89. They will … send the poisoned dart from the blow-pipe true to its destination.
1840. Marryat, Olla Podr. (Rtldg.), 291. Like an arrow from the blow-pipe of a South American Indian.
