firedamp

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Etymology

From fire + damp with 'damp' not in the usual sense of 'moist' but old German, modern Dutch, Danish 'damp' as steam or vapour, hence a gas liable to catch fire.

Noun

firedamp (uncountable)

1. (mining) An inflammable gas (mostly methane) found in coal mines; forms an explosive mixture with air.

Related terms

• afterdamp

Translations

• French: grisou
• German: Grubengas
• Italian: grisou
• Portuguese: grisu
• Spanish: grisú

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