Definition

A type of gas that is flammable and mainly made of methane, often found in coal mines due to the breakdown of coal.

Example

The miners were trained to detect firedamp to prevent explosions in the mine.

Conversation

Did you know that firedamp can be really dangerous in coal mines?

Yeah, I read about it; it's mostly methane, right?

Exactly! It can create explosive mixtures if not handled properly.

That sounds really scary; I can't believe people work in those conditions.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Firedamp is formed from "fire" (from Old English "fyr", meaning combustion or flame) and "damp" (from Middle Dutch "damp", meaning vapor or gas). The term refers to a flammable gas found in coal mines, which can ignite and cause explosions when mixed with air.

Memory Tip

Think of 'fire' as a flame and 'damp' as a gas or vapor — together, they describe a dangerous gas that can ignite.

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