Definition of Firebug

1. Noun. A criminal who illegally sets fire to property.

Exact synonyms: Arsonist, Incendiary
Specialized synonyms: Barnburner
Generic synonyms: Criminal, Crook, Felon, Malefactor, Outlaw
Derivative terms: Arson

2. Noun. A true bug: brightly colored bug that can exude a stain.
Generic synonyms: Heteropterous Insect
Group relationships: Family Pyrrhocoridae, Pyrrhocoridae

Definition of Firebug

1. Noun. a common red and black insect of the family Pyrrhocoridae. ¹

2. Noun. (slang) a pyromaniac or arsonist. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Firebug

1. an arsonist [n -S] - See also: arsonist

Lexicographical Neighbors of Firebug

firebote
firebotes
fireboxes
firebrand
firebrands
firebrat
firebrats
firebreak
firebreaks
firebreather
firebreathers
firebrick
firebricks
firebug (current term)
firebugs
firecall
fireclay
fireclays
firecracker
firecrackers
firecrest
firecrests
fired
fired away
fired off
fired up
firedamp
firedamps

Literary usage of Firebug

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Fire Insurance Contract: Its History and Interpretation, Comp. and Ed by Insurance Society of New York (1922)
"Likewise, we have no such firebug gangs as were in existence in earlier days. ... These firebug gangs operated largely in New York and Newark, but after Mr. ..."

2. Insurance and Crime: A Consideration of the Effects Upon Society of the by Alexander Colin Campbell (1902)
"Among insurance men, the firebug is recognised as a fact, and is counted upon as an element in the risk. Moreover, it is known and recognised that the most ..."

3. Publishers Weekly by Publishers' Board of Trade (U.S.), Book Trade Association of Philadelphia, American Book Trade Union, Am. Book Trade Association, R.R. Bowker Company (1913)
"... Germ of death: The firebug; The confidence king; The sand-hog: The white slave: The forger; The unofficial spy: The smuggler; The invisible ray; ..."

4. The Writings of Mark Twain [pseud.] by Mark Twain, Charles Dudley Warner (1906)
"... nigger-trader, horse-thief, and firebug from the most notorious rascal-nest in Galves- ton; and this was a thing which that poor old gentleman couldn't ..."

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