GREEK FIRE

WHAT DOES GREEK FIRE MEAN IN ENGLISH?

Greek fire was an incendiary weapon used by the Eastern Roman Empire. The Byzantines typically used it in naval battles to great effect as it could continue burning while floating on water. It provided a technological advantage, and was responsible for many key Byzantine military victories, most notably the salvation of Constantinople from two Arab sieges, thus securing the Empire's survival. The impression made by Greek fire on the west European Crusaders was such that the name was applied to any sort of incendiary weapon, including those used by Arabs, the Chinese, and the Mongols. These, however, were different mixtures and not the Byzantine formula, which was a closely guarded state secret, a secret that has since been lost. The composition of Greek fire remains a matter of speculation and debate, with proposals including combinations of pine resin, naphtha, quicklime, sulfur, or niter. Byzantine use of incendiary mixtures was distinguished by the use of pressurized nozzles or siphōn to project the liquid onto the enemy.

Definition of Greek fire in the English dictionary

The definition of Greek fire in the dictionary is a Byzantine weapon employed in naval warfare from 670 ad. It consisted of an unknown mixture that, when wetted, exploded and was projected, burning, from tubes. Other definition of Greek fire is any of several other inflammable mixtures used in warfare up to the 19th century.

WORDS THAT BEGIN LIKE GREEK FIRE

Greek Orthodox Church

WORDS THAT END LIKE GREEK FIRE

no smoke without fire

set the world on fire

under fire

WORDS RELATING TO «GREEK FIRE»

Greek fire greek fire ingredients civil pictures gods formula make copper incendiary weapon used eastern roman empire byzantines typically naval battles great effect could continue emperors said have been invented syrian engineer callinicus refugee national geographic channel middle ages this site providing information about facts history fast accurate learn weaponry encyclopedia britannica several flammable compositions warfare ancient medieval times more specifically term refers mixture likes talking official page your needs http greekfirepledge stronghold heaven weapons centuries petroleum sulfur both since early days christians much alchemy beginning secrets would useful even modern world surprising people continually determine composition what maritime museum apparently introduced naptha thought main ingredient

TRANSLATION OF GREEK FIRE

Find out the translation of Greek fire to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.

The translations of Greek fire from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «Greek fire» in English.

Translator English - Chinese

希腊火

1,325 millions of speakers

Translator English - Spanish

fuego griego

570 millions of speakers

English

Greek fire

510 millions of speakers

Translator English - Hindi

ग्रीक आग

380 millions of speakers

Translator English - Arabic

النار اليونانية

280 millions of speakers

Translator English - Russian

Греческий огонь

278 millions of speakers

Translator English - Portuguese

O fogo grego

270 millions of speakers

Translator English - Bengali

গ্রীক আগুন

260 millions of speakers

Translator English - French

feu grégeois

220 millions of speakers

Translator English - Malay

Api Yunani

190 millions of speakers

Translator English - German

griechische Feuer

180 millions of speakers

Translator English - Japanese

ギリシャの火事

130 millions of speakers

Translator English - Korean

그리스어 화재

85 millions of speakers

Translator English - Javanese

Yunani geni

85 millions of speakers

Translator English - Vietnamese

lửa Hy Lạp

80 millions of speakers

Translator English - Tamil

கிரேக்கம் தீ

75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Marathi

ग्रीक अग्नी

75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Turkish

Yunan yangın

70 millions of speakers

Translator English - Italian

fuoco greco

65 millions of speakers

Translator English - Polish

Grecki ogień

50 millions of speakers

Translator English - Ukrainian

грецький вогонь

40 millions of speakers

Translator English - Romanian

foc grecesc

30 millions of speakers

Translator English - Greek

Ελληνική φωτιά

15 millions of speakers

Translator English - Afrikaans

Griekse vuur

14 millions of speakers

Translator English - Swedish

grekiska brand

10 millions of speakers

Translator English - Norwegian

Gresk ild

5 millions of speakers

TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «GREEK FIRE»

The term «Greek fire» is regularly used and occupies the 97.485 position in our list of most widely used terms in the English dictionary.

100%

FREQUENCY

Regularly used

/100

The map shown above gives the frequency of use of the term «Greek fire» in the different countries.

Principal search tendencies and common uses of Greek fire

greek fire ingredients

greek fire civil war

greek fire pictures

greek gods fire

greek fire formula

Greek fire definition

Greek fire dictionary

how to make greek fire

greek translation fire

greek fire copper

List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «Greek fire».

FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «GREEK FIRE» OVER TIME

The graph expresses the annual evolution of the frequency of use of the word «Greek fire» during the past 500 years. Its implementation is based on analysing how often the term «Greek fire» appears in digitalised printed sources in English between the year 1500 and the present day.

10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «GREEK FIRE»

Discover the use of Greek fire in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to Greek fire and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.

Greek Fire: The Story of Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis

Nicholas Gage recounts the lives and loves of Aristotle Onassis, the builder of one of the world's greatest shipping fortunes, and Maria Callas, defiantly Greek yet Brooklyn-born, acclaimed as the Voice of the Century.

Nicholas Gage, 2001

A History of Greek Fire and Gunpowder

In this classic work, first published in 1960, James Riddick Partington provides a worldwide survey of the evolution of incendiary devices, Greek fire, and gunpowder.

J. R. Partington, 1960

Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion Bombs: Biological ...

With the news full of talk about bioterrorism and chemical weapons, Mayor's exploration of the origins of biological and unethical warfare is an attention-grabber that follows through with fascinating illustrative episodes.

Adrienne Mayor, 2009

Greek Fire

Roger Ingram was engaged in a highly delicate mission of importance to both SIS and NATO intelligence when he was found drowned off the coast of Corfu.

Kenneth Benton, 2000

Greek Fire: The Story of Pericles: a Nov

From the peaceful summits of Delphi to the political turmoil that spawned democracy, the story of Athens becomes a paradigm, if not a photocopy predicting the history of western civilization.

Clara Rising, 2006

Dark Fire: A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery

"Atmospheric and engaging" (Margaret George), this second book in Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery series delves again into the dark and superstitious world of Cromwell's England introduced in Dissolution.

C. J. Sansom, 2005

The Eclectic Magazine of Foreign Literature, Science, and Art

What is Greek Fire ? The question is not one of to-day, but of ages. Friar Bacon was asked the question, or, at all events, he, in a sentence or two as difficult to understand as obscurest alchemist could wish, essayed to answer it. His friend, Friar ...

‎1864

Throwing Fire: Projectile Technology Through History

This is a history of hard, accurate throwing and the manipulation of fire as unique human capabilities.

Alfred W. Crosby, 2002

The Eclectic Magazine: Foreign Literature

WHAT is Greek Fire ? The question is not one of to-day, but of ages. Friar Bacon was asked the question, or, at all events, he, in a sentence or two as difficult to understand as obscurest alchemist could wish, essayed to answer it. His friend ...

John Holmes Agnew, Walter Hilliard Bidwell, 1864

Medieval Weapons: An Illustrated History of Their Impact

Greek Fire Fire has always been a major component in warfare since the very earliest times. When most things were made from natural flammable materials, fire was a very potent weapon—torches made from sticks or twigs or burning bundles ...

Kelly DeVries, Robert Douglas Smith, 2007

10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «GREEK FIRE»

Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term Greek fire is used in the context of the following news items.

US economy hums along despite Greek fire, Chinese bears

U.S. economy hums along despite Greek fire, Chinese bears. By Jeffry Bartash. Published: July 12, 2015 12:03 p.m. ET. Share. Getty. The Greek debt crisis is ... «MarketWatch, Jul 15»

The Ogg Blogg: A tourist's taste of Turkish horticulture

A substantial jihad-driven Arab siege in 717-718 may have been successful if it weren't for the invention of 'Greek fire' and a cold winter famine ... «Fresh Fruit Portal, Jul 15»

Hundreds of Greek Police and Fire Dept Vehicles Immobilized Due …

At the same time, Greek Fire Department officials said that 35-40% of vehicles are out of operation. Most vehicles are over 15 years old, ... «Greek Reporter, Jun 15»

HUNTER HUNTED

Ezio , determined to take out the beast used the Greek fire but of no use, since it came through the other side of the ship and swallowed Ezio ... «moviepilot.com, Jun 15»

SAN BERNARDINO: Taste of Chaos and It's Not Dead fests set for …

... All-American Rejects, Saves the Day, The Movielife, Story of the Year, a DJ set from Mark Hoppus, Greek Fire and Adair are also on the bill. «Press-Enterprise, Jun 15»

Taste of Chaos Tour Returns Along with Brand New It's Not Dead …

Mark Hoppus (DJ set), Greek Fire and Adair. Originally launched in 2005 by Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman and John Reese (co-founder of ... «OC Weekly, Jun 15»

Mud, fire and death waivers: America's fastest-growing sport

U.S. economy hums along despite Greek fire, Chinese bears. 12:00 P.M. ET. Greek deal prospects slim as eurozone leaders meet. 11:52 A.M. ... «MarketWatch, Jun 15»

Earthquake felt in Greek capital, no reports of injuries

"It was certainly felt, but so far we have not received any calls for assistance," a Greek fire brigade official in Athens said. Greece is often rattled ... «Reuters Africa, Jun 15»

US dollar gets burned by Greek fire

US dollar gets burned by Greek fire. Michael O'Neill Michael O'Neill. FX Consultant / IFXA Ltd. Canada. Recommend Recommend Comment. «TradingFloor.com, Jun 15»

4 ways Greece's epic debt drama may play out

U.S. economy hums along despite Greek fire, Chinese bears. 12:00 P.M. ET. Greek deal prospects slim as eurozone leaders meet. 11:52 A.M. ... «MarketWatch, May 15»

Meaning of "Greek fire" in the English dictionary

PRONUNCIATION OF GREEK FIRE

GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF GREEK FIRE