Obs. exc. Hist. Also 6 linestoke, lyn(t)stock, (limstock), 6–7 lint stocke, 6–8 lin(t)stock, 9 lent-stock. [In 16th c. lint-, linestocke, ad. (with assimilation to LINT and LINE sb.1) Du. lontstok, f. lont match (see LUNT sb.) + stok stick.] A staff about three feet long, having a pointed foot to stick in the deck or ground, and a forked head to hold a lighted match.
1575. Churchyard, Chippes, 95 b. He … in his hand, a smoking lyntstock broght And so gaue fier.
1592. Stow, Ann. (an. 1563), 1116. A linestoke fell into a barrel of powlder, and set it on fire together with the vessell.
1598. B. Jonson, Ev. Man in Hum., III. i. Their master gunner … confronts me with his linstock, readie to giue fire.
1682. Lond. Gaz., No. 1684/1. Then thirty Gunners with their Linstocks … followed by thirty Negroes … with their Brown-bills.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), Lintstock.
1804. Naval Chron., XII. 63. 1 lent-stock; 12 handspikes.
1808. Scott, Marm., I. ix. The gunner held his linstock yare.
1840. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Hamilton Tighe. The linstock glows in his bony hand.
fig. 1602. Marston, Ant. & Mel., II. Wks. 1856, I. 19. The match of furie is lighted, fastned to the linstock of rage.
