英语词源字典 - 在线词源网站

firebug (n.)[firebug 词源字典]: also fire-bug, "arsonist, incendiary," 1869, from fire (n.) + bug (n.) in the "obsessed person" sense.[firebug etymology, firebug origin, 英语词源]
firecracker (n.): also fire-cracker, "exploding paper cylinder," 1830, American English coinage for what is in England a cracker, but the U.S. word distinguishes it from the word meaning "biscuit." See fire (n.) + agent noun from crack (v.).
Sec 2 And be it enacted, That it shall not be lawful for any person to burn, explode or throw any burning fire cracker, squib, turpentine balls or fire serpents in this state. [act of the General Assembly of the state of New Jersey, Feb. 18, 1835]
firefighter (n.): also fire-fighter, 1895, from fire (n.) + fighter.
firefly (n.): also fire-fly, "An insect which has the faculty of becoming luminous" [Century Dictionary], 1650s, from fire (n.) + fly (n.).
firelight (n.): also fire-light, "light emitted by an open fire," Old English fyrleoht; see fire (n.) + light (n.).
firelock (n.): type of gun lock that uses sparks to ignite the priming, 1540s, from fire (n.) + lock (n.). Originally of the wheel-lock; transferred 17c. to the flintlock.
fireman (n.): also fire-man, late 14c., "tender of a fire," from fire (n.) + man (n.). From 1650s as "furnace-tender" of a early steam engine. As "person hired to put out (rather than tend) fires" it is attested from 1714. For "stoker," Old English had fyrbeta.
fireplace (n.): also fire-place, c. 1700, from fire (n.) + place (n.).
fireplug (n.): also fire-plug, 1713, from fire (n.) + plug (n.).
firepower (n.): also fire-power "effectiveness of military fire," 1891, from fire (n.) + power (n.).
fireproof (adj.): also fire-proof, 1630s, from fire (n.) + proof. As a verb, from 1867. Related: Fireproofed; fireproofing.
fireside (n.): also fire-side, 1560s, from fire (n.) + side (n.). Symbolic of home life by 1848. As an adjective from 1740s; especially suggesting the intimately domestic.
firestorm (n.): also fire-storm, 1580s, in poetry, from fire (n.) + storm (n.). From 1945 in reality, in reference to nuclear war.
firetrap (n.): also fire-trap, "place at great risk of destruction by fire and with insufficient means of escape," 1882, from fire (n.) + trap (n.).
firewall (n.): also fire-wall, 1851 as a physical wall meant to prevent the spread of fire in a structure, from fire (n.) + wall (n.). Computer sense (originally figurative) is by 1990.
firewater (n.): also fire-water, "alcoholic liquor," 1826, American English, supposedly from speech of American Indians, from fire (n.) + water (n.1).
firewood (n.): also fire-wood, late 14c., from fire (n.) + wood (n.).
fireworks (n.): also fire-works, "pyrotechnic contrivances," 1570s, from fire (n.) + works. Figurative use from 1660s.
firing (n.): 1540s, "action of applying fire or setting on fire," verbal noun from fire (v.). From c. 1600 as "act of discharging firearms." Firing squad is attested from 1891 in reference to military executions; earlier as "those selected to fire over the grave of anyone interred with military honors" (1864); earlier in both senses is firing-party (1798 in reference to military executions; 1776 in reference to military funerals).
firkin (n.): "small cask," late 14c., apparently from Middle Dutch *vierdekijn, diminutive of vierde, literally "fourth, fourth part" (see fourth); so called because it usually is the fourth part of a barrel.