A quick-burning match used for firing cannon, igniting fire-works, shells, etc., consisting of cotton-wick soaked in a composition of gum, spirits, water and gunpowder.
1765. R. Jones, Fireworks, ii. 66. Quick-match is generally made of such cotton as is put in candles.
1803. Wellington, Lett. to Col. Stevenson, in Gurw., Desp. (1837), II. 418. A shell or two … having in them a bit of quick match, besides the fuse.
1847. Alb. Smith, Chr. Tadpole, xxxviii. (1879), 324. Any family wrong acted like a quick-match amongst them all.
attrib. 1802. James, Milit. Dict., s.v. Laboratory, Stores for a Fire-ship of 150 tons…. Quick-match barrels … 1.
