A device for making fire consisting of a piston and a hollow cylinder into which the piston is rapidly pushed, the heat generated by the compression of air igniting a piece of tinder attached to the piston.
Origin
Mid 19th century.
Definition of fire piston in US English:
fire piston
noun
A device for making fire consisting of a piston and a hollow cylinder into which the piston is rapidly pushed, the heat generated by the compression of air igniting a piece of tinder attached to the piston.