spec. in coal mines: (a) = choke-damp, n.; also called black damp, and suffocating damp. (b) = firedamp, n., formerly fulminating damp.

Flammable gas, esp. methane (marsh gas), given off by coal in mines and which can form an explosive mixture with air. Cf. damp, n.1 1b.

Coal Mining. = firedamp, n. Cf. wildfire, n. 2e. Obsolete. rare.

In various specific uses (wild often implying ‘natural, not artificially produced’, or ‘out of… †Volcanic fire (obsolete); fire-damp in coal-mines.

= firedamp, n.

Mining. Inflammable gas which constitutes ‘foulness’ in a mine; = firedamp, n.

Mining (local). Carburetted hydrogen, fire-damp.

(See quot. 1886.)