flashpan
Musket's fire starter
A flashpan is the small pan on an old-fashioned firearm that held the priming powder, which ignited to fire the main charge.
The phrase flash in the pan comes from when the powder flared but failed to discharge the gun—hence something that shows initial promise but fails to deliver.
The single word flashpan is rare; the idiom dominates.
Passing very quickly
- momentaryLasting very briefly
- briefShort in duration
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- evanescentTending to vanish quickly
passing · short-lived · temporary · impermanent · vanishing · fading · quick · instantaneous
Flint-sparked firearm mechanism
- musketMuzzle-loaded infantry firearm
- powderFine dry particles
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- frizzenFlintlock's spark-producing steel
flint · touchhole · gunpowder · primer · priming · matchlock · percussion · caplock
Sharp and unexpected
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- instantaneousHappening without any delay
- swiftMoving with speed
- rapidMoving with haste
immediate · spontaneous · unforeseen · surprise · jolt · startling · precipitous · split-second
Sudden bright burst
- blazeIntense burning fire
- burstBreak apart suddenly
- brilliantIntensely bright or gifted
- dazzlingOverwhelmingly bright or impressive
fierce · explosive · blazing · searing · white-hot · incandescent · conflagration · combustion
fleeting
Passing very quickly
evanescent · passing · short-lived · temporary · impermanent · vanishing · fading · quick · instantaneous
flintlock
Flint-sparked firearm mechanism
frizzen · flint · touchhole · gunpowder · primer · priming · matchlock · percussion · caplock · muzzleloader
abrupt
Sharp and unexpected
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- instantaneousHappening without any delay
- swiftMoving with speed
rapid · immediate · spontaneous · unforeseen · surprise · jolt · startling · precipitous · split-second · explosive
flare
Sudden bright burst
dazzling · fierce · explosive · blazing · searing · white-hot · incandescent · conflagration · combustion · ignite