Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A weapon that projects ignited incendiary fuel, such as napalm, in a steady stream.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Mil.) a weapon that squirts ignited liquid or gelatinous fuel for several yards.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A device that projects a flame for starting fires, it may also project additional fuel to help ignition. Used either as a weapon or a tool.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a weapon that squirts ignited fuel for several yards

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

A calque of German Flammenwerfer.

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Examples

  • According to baseball slang, a pitcher who throws with velocity in the mid to upper 90s is known as a "flamethrower" or a "fireballer."

    Alex Avila's Mask Hit By Foul Tip, Sparks Fly In Tigers-White Sox Game (VIDEO) 2011

  • To the Japanese and Okinawans, the flamethrower was the most terrifying weapon in the American arsenal.

    The Story of World War II Donald L. Miller 1945

  • To the Japanese and Okinawans, the flamethrower was the most terrifying weapon in the American arsenal.

    The Story of World War II Donald L. Miller 1945

  • Nor may a man own a flamethrower, which is an indiscriminate weapon inappropriate for self-defense.

    The Rule of Reason 2010

  • Nor may a man own a flamethrower, which is an indiscriminate weapon inappropriate for self-defense.

    The Rule of Reason 2010

  • By the way, grabbing the flamethrower is a very exciting thing.

    Ars Technica 2009

  • This is a genre game for those who think grabbing a flamethrower is a very exciting thing.

    Ars Technica 2009

  • The flamethrower is a short range weapon that … well … uh … throws flames … and it sets enemies on fire for those of us who find burning enemies to death to be funny.

    Epinions Recent Content for Home 2008

  • The barbarian class utilizes frenzy instead of mana and features abilities such as the power to transform into a giant, powerful beast; the witchdoctor can summon everything from firebats described as a flamethrower with bats in it to creatures that can turn enemies into chickens; the wizard can slow down time, coat its skin with protective diamonds, and even has an alternate form; the monk is powered by spirit and features a wide array of martial arts moves; and the long-range demon hunter gets its power from both hatred and discipline, which aid both offensive and defensive abilities.

    Ars Technica Andrew Webster 2011

  • To meet criterion 3, they built a device-dubbed the Flammenwerfer ( "flamethrower") - that sprayed iron particles through a heated ring.

    WN.com - Articles related to Scientists uncover mysterious workings of cholera bacteria 2010

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