firework

«firework» in Mova's school dictionary: a small device with powder inside that explodes to make… — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

part of speech

noun (a firework, fireworks)

meaning for a pupil

1) A firework is a small device with powder inside that explodes to make bright colours, sparks and loud bangs in the sky. tree →

2) Fireworks (plural) often means a show of them. tree →

3) Informally, fireworks can mean an angry argument or something very exciting. tree →

sense in the lessons

In safety lessons fireworks are explosives: only adults should light them, you stand far back, never go back to one that did not go off, and pets need to be kept indoors because the bangs scare them. In everyday life fireworks are set off at celebrations such as Bonfire Night (UK), New Year, Diwali, Canada Day and Independence Day (USA). In science they show chemical reactions: different metals make different colours. Phrases: fireworks display, set off fireworks, light a firework.

examples

• We watched the fireworks from the hill. tree →
• Only grown-ups should light fireworks. tree →
• The fireworks made red, green and gold sparks. tree →
• Our dog hides under the bed when there are fireworks. tree →
• Never pick up a firework that has not gone off. tree →
• There is a big fireworks display on New Year's Eve. tree →
• Hold a sparkler at arm's length and wear gloves. tree →
• Different chemicals give fireworks their colours. tree →
• "I haven't any firearms," said George, "but I have a firework. tree →

note

Usually used in the plural: fireworks. It is one word (not «fire work»). Sparklers are a kind of firework and get hot enough to burn badly, so put used ones in a bucket of water. Many places have laws about who can buy and use fireworks.

In the corpora

• A firework is a very fast chemical reaction that makes hot gases, light, heat, noise and smoke.
• Each colour comes from a different metal packed into the firework, the way each paint in a box has its own colour.
• The colours of fireworks come from different metals: strontium gives red, barium green, sodium yellow and copper blue.
• A firework's bang comes from powder burning so fast inside a closed case that the hot gas bursts it.
• "A damp squib" (UK) means a disappointing failure, like a firework that does not go off.

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «firework» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.