scathefire

plural scathefires · alternative scathe-fire · alternative scathe fire

1. obsoleteDestructive flames; a conflagration.

   Beneath their ruines: and these horrid sights / Lighted by scathe-fires, they that haue beheld […]

   1874 (original 1611), Dramatic Works of Thomas Heywood

   5 more examples

   A title so clear, as if it were “written with a beam of the sliny;” which no true Englishman in his right wits did ever yet oppose, but one or two foreign pensioners, maintained on purpose abroad to kindle scathfires at home, who gained nothing by the question but to render themselves ridiculous.

   1845, John Bramhall, The Works of the Most Reverend Father in God, John Bramhall

   Richard II, in 1385, and Henry VIII, in 1545, each wrecked it, and after this last scathe-fire it was rebuilt no more.

   1901, Albert Le Roy Bartlett, A Golden Way

   You will give them my order to proceed to the scathefire track, with rangers you will find as guides, and parallel the Pargunese, ... The other will parallel the scathefire track until even with the Pargunese and stay even with them as they move.

   2012, Elizabeth Moon, Echoes of Betrayal

   Any escaping villagers would be killed. She had heard of scathefires but fortunately her village had not been targeted.

   2013, Trishia Parson, Arcana

   How much more in extremities of more importance, as the quenching of a scathe fire, or defending of a city, or country, by repelling the invading or beleaguering enemy?

   2014, Henry Burton, C. Matthew McMahon, Therese B. McMahon, The Law and the Gospel Reconciled